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What's sparking whooping cough resurgence?

Before the 1950s, whooping cough was a prevalent and dangerous childhood disease.

Caduceus , health medical - stock photo

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Before the 1950s, whooping cough was a prevalent and dangerous childhood disease.

Vaccine reduced the disease to minimal numbers until recently. In 2014, there were more than 28,000 cases in the U.S., while from 1970 to 2001, there were never more than 8,000 cases in a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While the reasons are unclear, a study suggests the disease could be transmitted by people who are infected with the bacteria but don't show symptoms.

Dr. Frank Rhame, an infectious disease specialist with Allina Health, visited KARE 11 at 4 to talk about the trend.