After a sharp rise in 2010, experts say Ohio still has high rates of the disease.
Medical epidemiologist Mary DiOrio with the Ohio Department of Health says pertussis is very contagious and spread by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others.
DiOrio says whooping cough can be very serious for little ones, and result in pneumonia or even death.
A series of five doses of vaccine is recommended for infants and young children. A booster shot is recommended for adolescents 11 to 18, and adults through age 64.
Ohio had more than 18-hundred confirmed cases of pertussis in 2010 and close to 700 in 2011.
