LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Kentucky Department for Public Health officials announced that two infants have died from pertussis (whooping cough) in the last six months.

Officials say that neither the infants nor their mothers had received the recommended immunizations against pertussis during pregnancy or infancy.

These are the first pertussis-related deaths in Kentucky since 2018.

Officials say that 247 cases of whooping cough have been reported in Kentucky this year.

There were 543 cases of whooping cough reported in Kentucky in 2024, the highest number of cases in the Commonwealth since 2012.

Health officials urge all Kentuckians to remain up to date on recommended pertussis immunizations and emphasize the importance of maternal immunization during pregnancy and for all infants beginni

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