Health Officials: California Baby Dies From Whooping Cough

click to expand

SACRAMENTO (AP) - California health officials say a baby has died from whooping cough - the first such infant death in the state since 2018.

The Department of Public Health says Thursday that the child was from Orange County, but didn't provide any other details.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory ailment that can spread through coughing.

Dr. Karen Smith, director of the state health department, urges expectant mothers to get a whooping cough booster shot.

Parents are urged to immunize babies as soon as possible.