Minnesota infant’s death linked to whooping cough, health officials say

For the first time in nearly seven years, whooping cough has claimed the life of a Minnesota infant.

Health officials confirmed Thursday the baby died after being hospitalized for three months for the condition, also known as pertussis, WCCO reported.

Although officials with the Minnesota Department of Health did not disclose where in Minnesota the baby resided, they did confirm to WDIO the child fell ill in August and succumbed to the disease in November.

Minnesota Department of Health Director for Infectious Disease Kris Ehresmann told WCCO anyone can contract whooping cough, but infants run the highest risks for developing serious complications because they cannot tolerate the vaccine until they are at least two months old.

"It's an opportunity for us to remind parents especially moms of the importance that they are vaccinated," Ehresmann told the station, encouraging expectant mothers to get the Tdap vaccine during their third trimester of each pregnancy to protect their newborns during the gap.