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KIRKSVILLE, MO -- The Adair County Health Department wants the northeast Missouri community to become more aware and prevent a more common illness.

In the first half of 2012, Missouri has seen an increase in confirmed and probable cases of Pertussi, also known as the Whooping Cough, in both kids and adults.

The most recent reports of the illness have been in the Kansas City and St. Louis areas.

According Lori Guffey, R.N. at the Adair County Health Department, there have been no reports of whooping cough in Kirksville or Adair County so far. But they don't want residents to have their guard down.

"I think it's becoming more common. We see these cases in the winter and summertime. People need to be aware it is still out there," Guffey said.

Whooping cough is a respiratory disease that a can start off as a normal cold or flu, but then can turn into severe coughing spells in just a few weeks.

The disease can be passed easily from person-to-person through coughing, sneezing, or talking.

There are vaccinations available for both children and adults to help prevent it in the first place.

The Adair County Health Department has the whooping cough vaccine and is available to get Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. You can call them for more information at (660) 665-8491.

If you want to know more about the disease, click here.