Second Case of Whooping Cough Reported at Chaminade

A second student at has been confirmed as contracting Pertussis, the condition commonly referred to as whooping cough.

Chaminade Principal Bro. Joseph Belizzi, S.M. sent a letter home to parents on Thursday alerting them of the confirmed diagnosis, saying that “while there is a less to no concern for our students, we are particularly concerned for those who may be more vulnerable, i.e. infants who have not yet been vaccinated, the elderly, and those whose immune system is compromised.”

Pertussis is a contagious bacterial infection with coldlike symptoms or a dry cough which progresses into a violent, persistent cough. It can prove extremely dangerous or even fatal to infants.

Parents were alerted of a previous case at the school in a letter dated November 17 when a student who lives in Suffolk County was confirmed as having the infection.

The letter states that all students in the school “have been immunized” for whooping cough – including the student who became ill, experiencing what the letter says is “a mild case.” He was reportedly contagious from November 7-25. Incubation for whooping cough is typically seven to 10 days, but may range up to 21 days. If family members or children develop symptoms they are advised to contact their physician for a test.

State immunization laws require that children be vaccinated before enrolling in school, pre-K or day care programs.

Suffolk County has reported an outbreak of the infection with 195 cases reported through mid-November. There have been a total of 46 cases in Nassau County this year.