State health official say whooping cough cases are increasing across Kansas, with Pottawatomie County particularly hard hit.

The state has recorded 405 confirmed cases of the disease so far this year, compared with 172 in all of 2013. In Pottawatomie County 17 confirmed cases have been reported. Last year, the northeast Kansas county had one case.

All schools within the Wamego School District have had free vaccination clinics for staff members. A clinic for students was held Wednesday at West Elementary, the hardest hit school in the district

The disease, also called pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. It can be prevented by vaccine.

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Associated Press information from: The Topeka Capital-Journal