Whooping cough hits Olmsted County - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

ROCHESTER (FOX 47) -- Whooping cough has hit Olmsted County.

In the past three weeks, there have been 8 confirmed cases and that number is expected to increase.

5 cases come from John Adams Middle School.

The other 3, also involve students but from various schools in Olmsted County.

Those with whooping cough, also known as pertussis, experience severe coughing attacks.

It's a highly contagious disease so if a child is showing symptoms, they should get tested.

If a student has pertussis, it's recommended they stay home for 5 days during antibiotic treatment.

Olmsted County Public Health says this outbreak isn't rare but there is a pattern.

"We've seen cycles of pertussis for many, many years. Usually it goes in a 3 to 5 year cycle that we see increases. And this year is definitely going to be a higher year again," said Linda Haeussinger with Olmsted County Public Health.

Haeussinger says the metro area is experiencing greater numbers of pertussis.

Infants with the disease have the greatest risk of complications.

However, you can get vaccinated for it.