Confirmed Case Of Whooping Cough At Lincoln-Sudbury High

SUDBURY, MA—Officials are informing the school community that there is one confirmed case of whooping cough at at Lincoln Sudbury Regional High School.

Pertussis, its official name, is a disease caused by bacteria that spreads form person to person with close contact (the germ is present in respiratory secretions), said a letter from Superintendent Bella Bong.

"The Sudbury Health Department along with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health are working together with the Health Office at Lincoln Sudbury Regional High School to inform parents and students of the potential exposure and treatment," wrote Bong. "Parents and guardians should be aware of the signs and symptoms of Pertussis. If you child has symptoms (like a prolonged cough, with uncontrolled bouts of coughing), medical evaluation and testing is recommended and five days of antibiotic treatment may be prescribed."

If your child is symptomatic, contact your health care provider for further evaluation and notify the Lincoln Sudbury Regional High School Health Office. Contact the LSRHA Health Office at 978-443-9961, ext. 2390, the Sudbury Board of Health 978-440-5477, or the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at 617-983-6800 to obtain more information.

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