York County Sees Spike In Whooping Cough Cases

KENNEBUNK, Maine — Maine health care experts say under-vaccinated communities are a prime suspect behind a spike in whooping cough in York County. The Portland Press Herald reports that there have been 97 cases of pertussis in York County this year, including 25 cases in September alone. The highly contagious respiratory disease produces severe coughing that can linger for up to 10 weeks. Maine in recent years has had one of the worst rates of pertussis in the country.