BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Whooping cough is often referred to as a cold on steroids. Now the state health commissioner is urging all New Yorkers to get a vaccination in light of an elevated number of cases being reported here and around the country.
Whooping cough is also known as pertussis and it's highly contagious. But its also a very preventable disease. 970 cases have been reported in New York so far this year, more cases than were reported in the entire year of 2011.
Dr. Anthony Billittier from D'Youville College says it comes in cycles and is spread the same way a cold is, through coughing, sneezing and touching.
"Up until recently we had no adult vaccinations. Now we do. It comes with tetanus shot, and our children are vaccinated with it and now adults can be as well."
Billittier says adults often-times don't get very sick from the disease. However it can be very serious and even deadly for children under a year old.