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DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) --  

Iowa public health officials say they've seen a 33 percent increase in whooping cough this year over the previous five-year average.

Iowa Department of Public Health epidemiologist Ann Garvey says so far this year there have been 423 cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, in Iowa. That's compared with about 200 cases at this time last year.

The five-year average is about 318 cases. But Garvey says pertussis is cyclical and increases are expected every three to five years.

Garvey says the department has seen whooping cough statewide. Whooping cough starts with cold-like symptoms, but within a week or two, patients develop uncontrollable coughing spells. These coughs are accompanied by the telltale whooping sound as the patient gasps for air.

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