SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Officials with the New Mexico Department of Health are reporting more cases of whooping cough in an ongoing community-wide outbreak in McKinley County.
They are urging state residents in at-risk groups to protect themselves by getting vaccinated.
As of Tuesday, there are 26 laboratory-confirmed cases of whooping cough and an additional 39 probable cases.
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When health officials first announced the outbreak on March 14, there were eight laboratory-confirmed cases of whooping cough with 15 probable cases.
The cases continue to be primarily occurring in school-aged children and their close household contacts.
Whooping cough - also called pertussis - is a highly contagious respiratory illness that spreads by coughing and sneezing while in close contact with others.
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