Whooping cough cases increase in Western North Carolina

Physicians in neighboring Western North Carolina are keeping a watchful eye on school-age children and young adults as 10 cases of whooping cough have been identified by health provider AppHealthCare.

A pertussis vaccine is the most reliable step to stopping the bacteria-based, highly contagious condition, according to the agency.

Symptoms include rapid coughing fits, low grade temperature, runny nose and the heavy whooping sound made while taking a breath after several seconds of coughing.

An AppHealthCare report said 20 more cases are now being investigated.

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