Whooping Cough Reported in Nearby School Districts

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

USC Superintendent Patrick O'Toole would not reveal which school that the diagnosed child attends.

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

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 that person sneezes or coughs.

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

O'Toole issued an e-alert about the diagnosis in his 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 their child(ren)'s school nurse(s) if they have any questions regarding the matter.

Meantime, the county health department is reporting a rise in the number of cases of whooping cough throughout Allegheny. 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.

reported .

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 for 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 vaccinations because the disease can be fatal in babies less than 1 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, please call 412-687-ACHD or visit www.achd.net.

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