Alabama’s state health officer Thursday expressed concern about a significant rise in whooping cough (pertussis) cases. Dr. Scott Harris said the state has reported three times as many cases this year compared to the same period in 2023.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is rising among Americans, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. The most recent data available shows that nearly 18,000 cases had been reported as of the week ending October 5.

The early symptoms of whooping cough sound like a normal cold but the coughs develop into ones that sound like “whoop” when those who are sick gasp for air after coughing. The symptoms may be a bit different for babies and young children who don’t cough but instead have difficulty breathing, the CDC said.