GREAT BEND, Kan. (AP) — Health officials say an outbreak of whooping cough in Barton County has killed one person and left five people ill in the last month. Health Director Shelly Schneider says all the cases were in Great Bend, with patients ranging from 4 months to middle age. Information about the patient who died was not released. State health officials say whooping cough cases have also been reported in Johnson County, McPherson County and Wichita. The Great Bend Tribune reports that Schneider says county health workers have been following up with anyone who was in contact with suspected cases because the diseases is highly contagious. The health department is urging Great Bend residents to make sure their whooping cough vaccines are up to date, or get a booster if recommended.
