Vaccine-preventable diseases are on the rise in Arizona. That was among the findings in a state report on infectious diseases released Friday.

In 2008, slightly more than 200 cases of the respiratory illness pertussis, known as whooping cough, were reported. By 2013, that number had increased to nearly 1,500 cases.  Northern Arizona saw the largest share of this illness and children 4 years old and younger bore the brunt. Some in that age group were too young to be fully vaccinated, which highlights the importance of vaccinating older children and adults, said Dr. Cara Christ, who is director of the Arizona Department of Health Services.

She said this uptick corresponds with more families getting exemptions for their children.

“It’s just showing us how important it is for us to maintain our vaccination rates in our community because it not only protects the person who gets vaccinated, but it protects their family and the community,” Christ said.

She said whooping cough had been on the decline until recently, but to expect this dangerous trend to continue as the exemption rate increases.