State health officials are currently investigating a pertussis outbreak in Shelby and Jefferson counties.The Alabama Department of Public Health identified nine children with positive pertussis lab results and 22 people with pertussis-like illness linked to people who tested positive.The ADPH says those people attended events at these locations during the dates listed: Shades Valley Community Church Jefferson June 1-July 15 YMCA Legacy Day Camp Jefferson June 4-June 8 Church of the Highlands - Grants Mill location Jefferson June 27-July 22 Church of the Highlands – Greystone location Shelby June 28-July 19 YMCA - Greystone Shelby July 4-July 14 Mount Laurel Elementary Summer Singers Camp Shelby July 9-July 13 Mount Laurel Library Shelby July 16 Winshape Camp at Double Oak Community Church Shelby July 16-July 20Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is highly contagious and leads to violent coughing, making it difficult to breathe.The department is asking any people who attended those gatherings and events at one or more of the facilities above during the specific time frames listed, and has symptoms by August 8, 2018, to contact their doctor to be tested and treated.“Patients should be aware that pertussis is a serious disease that can affect people of all ages. It can even be deadly for babies less than a year old. That is why it is especially important for everyone to be up to date on their pertussis vaccine with DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) or Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), which is required for school entry,” said Dr. Burnestine Taylor, Medical Director for Disease Control and Prevention, ADPH. The health department says there were 151 reported cases of pertussis in 2017, and so far in 2018, there have been 172 reported cases.