BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Since scientists developed a vaccine in the 1950's, the number of whooping cough cases has dropped dramatically.
The shot helped curb Pertussis that causes people to cough for a period of time and can kill you.
While it's no longer at hundreds of thousands of cases, Vermont health leaders are seeing a scary rise.
In 2011 37 people came down with it statewide.
So far this year, that number has jumped to 443, about 12 times higher.
"Even though we're way below where we were pre-immunization it still must be alarming to go from 37 to 443," said FOX44/ABC22.
"Yes, we clearly have an ongoing outbreak we're very concerned about it," said Deputy State Epidemiologist Susan Schoenfeld
Over the past six weeks, health leaders say only two counties haven't reported any cases.
But there have been 14 in Lamoille, 21 in Caledonia and 39 in Rutland County.
Schoenfeld says the biggest threat is to kids.
"Immunize the people around them, make sure that children are up to date on their immunizations, we do have now an adult booster dose of vaccine that is given that is given to adults," said Schoenfeld.
And while it's growing in Vermont, Schoenfeld says it's a problem across the country that health leaders want everyone to pay attention to.
"Get the information we can to providers on the public to decrease their own risk when possible," said Schoenfeld.
Another reason why there might be more cases health experts say is that they can test for it more easily.
