PORT ANGELES, Wash. (Metro Networks Inc.)  -- Whooping cough is on the rise along the North Olympic Peninsula, where a dozen cases of the disease have been reported so far this year. 

Doctor Tom Locke, health officer for Clallam and Jefferson counties, tells the Peninsula Daily News that Jefferson County has eight confirmed cases, and Clallam County has four. 

He expects that number to climb, because not as many people are being vaccinated for the disease, which causes violent, uncontrollable coughing.

State health officials say whooping cough is a growing problem in Washington state, with the number of cases jumping by more than 50 percent between 2010 and 2011. 

The disease can be especially dangerous for babies. 

Two Washington infants died from it last year. 

Health officials now recommend women get vaccinated for whooping cough (pertussis) later in pregnancy, to pass protection on to their babies.


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