Whooping Cough Cases Grow in Lake County

More than half of the 136 reported cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, have been confirmed in Lake County since Oct. 1, according to the Lake County Health Department.

Locally, has received only one reported case at on Nov. 28, according to Robin Kollman, public relations facilitator at the school district. A Community High School District 128 official indicated no reported cases in as of Wednesday.

Since Oct. 1, 68 confirmed cases have been reported in Lake County, according to Shawn Cesario, a nurse epidemiologist for the Lake County Health Department. Last year, 89 total cases were reported.

Cesario cautioned the current numbers are what the health department knows are confirmed cases in the county in the last two weeks.

"You can look normal between coughing spells," Cesario said.

Cesario said the immunizations given to children as infants eventually leave the body "after a few years."

Throughout the Chicago suburbs and the state, whooping cough cases continue to grow. According to Triblocal, "confirmed cases of the highly contagious bacterial infection have spiked in McHenry, Lake and DuPage counties, affecting close to 500 residents, the most in more than five years."

The Illinois Department of Health reported 1,019 cases throughout the state as of Thursday, according to Triblocal.

• For an FAQ on pertussis from the Lake County Health Department, click on the attached PDF.