| fatal case of pertussis in an infant--west virginia, 2004. | in december 2004, an infant aged 29 days in west virginia died from pertussis after exposure to adult family members with probable undiagnosed pertussis. pertussis (i.e., whooping cough) is a prolonged respiratory illness caused by the bacterium bordetella pertussis and characterized by a violent cough, inspiratory whoop, and posttussive vomiting. the cough often lasts from several weeks to up to 3 months. however, adolescents and adults, even those previously vaccinated as children, often have ... | 2005 | 15674186 |