Two infants die from whooping cough in Kentucky; first such deaths since 2018

(ABC36 NEWS NOW) — State health officials have confirmed that two infants in Kentucky have died from pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health says the deaths occurred within the last six months and mark the first pertussis-related deaths in the state since 2018.

According to officials, neither the infants nor their mothers had been vaccinated against the disease. Health experts continue to urge Kentuckians—especially pregnant women and families with newborns—to stay up to date on vaccinations to help prevent the spread of whooping cough.