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Whooping Cough outbreak in Ionia County

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IONIA, Mich. (WSYM) — A potentially fatal infection is making its way around Ionia County.

The Ionia County Health Department says four cases of whooping cough have been confirmed in babies since Nov. 30.

The infected babies range in age from 3 months to 17 months.

Whooping cough in infants is especially dangerous because it can lead to pneumonia, apnea, seizures and brain damage.

There is a vaccine for whooping cough, but children are not considered fully immunized until their fifth vaccination at age four or five.

If you think you've been exposed, see a doctor right away.