Whooping cough

The number of whooping cough cases are on the rise in eastern Iowa.

Right now, public health leaders say those figures are up by about seven percent from what Unitypoint clinics saw last year. 66 cases have also been reported from across the area since the summer.

Whooping cough, or Pertussis, symptoms initially start out similar to a common cold. But, health experts warn that it can lead to more serious complication — especially for children:

• Violent, rapid, and uncontrolled coughing fits followed by high pitched “whoop” sounds
• Vomiting during or after cough fits
• Fatigue
• Difficulty breathing