BATTLE CREEK (WTVB) - Calhoun County health officials say they have confirmed 8 cases of Whooping Cough this year.  It’s called Whooping cough because of the noise kids make when they have it. The contagious respiratory tract infection, also known as pertussus, could be fatal for kids. The victims in Calhoun County range in age from 2 to 46- years-old.  The CDC’s Dr. Ann Schuchat says they are seeing an increase nationwide of the infection. She says this year they have seen a serious outbreak of the disease   It may just present itself as a persistent annoying cough in adults but it is contagious.