TAMPA, Fla. (AP) _ Health officials in Tampa say adults are probably unknowingly responsible for an outbreak of whooping cough.
Since Jan. 1, there have been 35 cases of pertussis _ also called whooping cough _ reported in Hillsborough County.
The Florida Department of Health has reported 112 cases in Florida this year.
The Tampa Tribune (http://bit.ly/JJzSOW ) reports the Hillsborough cases came from seven families.
A Hillsborough County Health Department spokesman says in one case an adult infected six children who did not have vaccinations.
Officials say the illness starts with a low grade fever, runny nose, sneezing and a cough.
Antibiotics can treat the illness, but children often cough for six to eight weeks.
Health experts recommend booster shots for adults who expect to be around young children.
