SCHUYLER COUNTY, MO. -- Health care providers are dealing with an outbreak of whooping cough among some area Amish residents.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reports outbreaks in two Amish communities in Schuyler County.
There are three laboratory-confirmed cases of whooping cough, also called pertussis.
Fourteen suspected cases have been identified in the two Schuyler County Amish communities.
Health officials say three children were so ill they had to be hospitalized.
Pertussis immunization coverage among Amish kids and adults is low in both communities.
Whooping cough begins with mild upper respiratory tract symptoms and progresses to a cough.
It is highly contagious and can cause severe disease or even death in very young children.
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