Whooping cough kills northwest Illinois resident

ROCK FALLS _ State health officials say whooping cough has killed a resident of Whiteside County in northwest Illinois.

The case was one of at least a dozen in the county since late summer.

Illinois Department of Health spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said Thursday that the person died in early September. She declined to identify the victim or say how old they were or where they lived.

Arnold says the death is under investigation by health officials.

The county health department says it has confirmed 12 cases since late August, including two involving infants.

Health officials say children from 6 months to 11 years who have had regular vaccinations should be protected.