FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP)—
Alaska health officials say the state is part of an unfortunate national trend - an increase in the number of whooping cough cases.The Department of Health and Social Services says it has documented 55 cases of pertussis this year.
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports that's more than double the cases in 2011.
Epidemiologist Louisa Castrodale says the number reflects only people who have been swabbed and positively tested and not everyone who is sick will see a doctor.
Pertussis is caused by bacteria that affect the lungs. It can be fatal for babies and small children.
