Whooping Cough Reported in Nearby School Districts

There has been a confirmed case of petrussis, better known as whooping cough, in the , according to the Allegheny County Health Department.

Superintendent Patrick O'Toole would not reveal what school the diagnosed child attends.

"Students interact with students throughout the district on buses, through sports, activities, etc. By identifying a specific building, parents may not take the information seriously, thinking that it does not pertain to their child's building," he said in an email.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes severe episodes of coughing which may make breathing difficult, result in vomiting and produce a high-pitched “whooping” sound when a person takes a breath.

The disease is spread from person to person by tiny droplets from an infected person’s nose or mouth which become airborne when the person sneezes or coughs.

Initial symptoms may appear similar to the common cold. Severe episodes of coughing start about 10 to 12 days later.

Superintendent Patrick O'Toole sent out an e-alert about the diagnosis in the school district on Wednesday afternoon.

"If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms, if your child has not been immunized against pertussis, or if your child’s immune system is suppressed, you may wish to consult with your family health care provider," O'Toole stated.

He told parents to contact the school nurse if you have any questions regarding the matter.

Meantime, the health department is reporting a rise in the number of cases of whooping cough throughout the county. Just last week, there were 46 confirmed or probable cases since the beginning of the year, well above the average of seven reported cases in that time period over the past several years.

Peters Township High School .

To prevent further transmission of the disease, the health department is sending physicians a letter recommending laboratory tests on all individuals suspected of having whooping cough and appropriate antibiotic treatment for suspected cases as well as any close contacts of confirmed cases such as family members.

Health officials also strongly recommend vaccinations for infants, young children, adolescents and adults as the best way to protect against whooping cough. It’s extremely important for those who are around infants to be up to date with their pertussis vaccination, because the disease can be fatal in babies less than one year old.

Vaccinations are available from your health care provider and the Allegheny County Health Department. For information about the Health Department’s vaccination clinic in Oakland, please call 412-687-ACHD or visit www.achd.net.

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