BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — The number of whooping cough cases in North Dakota so far in 2024 are triple the number reported for all of 2023. That's according to data from North Dakota Health and Human Services. The department reports, so far, 73 cases of pertussis (as whooping cough is formally known) have occurred in 11 North Dakota counties. In 2023, 17 cases were reported for the year in two counties. The 2024 cases range from infants to adults, and four infants have been hospitalized. 2024 cases by county: Cass: 50 cases McHenry: 5 Mountrail: 4 Burleigh: 4 Morton: 3 McKenzie: 2 Griggs: 1 Emmons: 1 Traill: 1 Stark: 1 Ward: 1 The higher numbers this year prompted Health and Human Services to issue a pertussis health advisory to North Dakota health care providers. "Pertussis is a major threat to our community," said HHS Immunization Surveillance Coordinator Danni Pinnick. "Vaccination, especially for pregnant individuals, is the best way to prevent severe illness." Early symptoms of pertussis can last one to two weeks and typically include a runny or stuffy nose, low-grade fever, mild occasional cough, and pauses in breathing or struggles with breathing. In advanced pertussis cases, a person may experience coughing fits that cause a high-pitched "whoop" when inhaling, vomiting, tiredness, trouble sleeping, struggles with breeathing or a broken rib. Pertussis is very contagious and can be passed on for multiple weeks. According to Health and Human Services, antibiotics are used to treat pertussis. Certain high-risk close contacts to pertussis cases should also receive antibiotics to prevent pertussis. Visit a health care provider if pertussis is suspected. Health officials advise that, to prevent the spread of pertussis, people with the infection should be excluded from work and school until five days after antibiotic treatment has been started or 21 days after cough onset. For more information on pertussis and to check case counts and areas where individuals may have been exposed, please visit hhs.nd.gov/pertussis. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW