ALPENA AND MONTMORENCY COUNTIES -- Health officials are warning people in Alpena and Montmorency Counties of a whooping cough outbreak.
The health department says the highly contagious bacterial disease also know as pertussis has been on the rise across the state and the nation.
There are now three confirmed cases in this region and more are expected as the investigation continues.
Whooping cough is spread through coughing or sneezing.
Symptoms include uncontrollable coughing and difficulty breathing.
It can be deadly in infants.
Health officials say the best defense is to make sure you are vaccinated since most infants get the disease from adolescents and adults. Also get a boosted shot if it's been more than 2 years since your vaccine.
