18 Cases of Whooping Cough Reported in N.C.

Clayton, N.C. — Eighteen cases of whooping cough have been confirmed in North Carolina since Aug. 1, according to health officials.

Four of those were at a day care in Clayton, Johnston County health officials announced Thursday.

Whooping cough involves severe coughing spells that end in a whooping sound when a person breathes. It is most severe in un-immunized children and in infants under 1-year-old.