Reno County health officials are taking steps to help stall the spread of a whooping cough outbreak before school starts.

The county has more than 70 suspected whooping cough cases.

And The Hutchinson News reports  that as of Friday, Reno County had 41 confirmed or probable cases of whooping cough, which accounts for 20 percent of all cases in the state. That was up from 18 on June 29.

Reno County Health Department Director Nick Baldetti says the continued outbreak has health officials concerned about the possibility of a potential "micro-outbreak" once school starts again.

He says the county health department is working with school districts to prepare and hopes to have vaccination clinics set up for Buhler, Haven and Nickerson districts.

Eyewitness News spoke with an official with Hutchinson schools.  Ray Hemman tells us they're working with the health department to address the concerns.

The district tells us all of the people who've contracted it have been vaccinated.

The district is hosting a vaccine clinic on August 3rd during enrollment.  That clinic runs from 11:00 until 5:00 at HMS-7 (210 E. Avenue A).  Parents are asked to bring a copy of the student's immunization record and insurance card. 

Hemman says staff are also encouraged to get immunized.

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Information from: The Hutchinson (Kan.) News, https://www.hutchnews.com