The number of reported whooping cough cases in Virginia rose by almost 45% last year to 578 — the largest number reported statewide since 1959. State health officials say one of the main reasons may be a small decline in the pertussis vaccine’s effectiveness, but they say vaccinations remain the best way by far to protect young children from whooping cough. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
The Virginia Department of Health says 399 pertussis cases were reported statewide in 2011 and 578 cases in 2012, an increase of almost 45%.
