Another Case Of Whooping Cough Reported In Council Rock

Another Council Rock student as been diagnosed with whooping cough, bringing the tally up to five students who've had the highly-contagious respiratory disease in the district over the past month.

Most recently, a Richboro Middle School student has been diagnosed with pertussis, known as whooping cough, school officials there told parents in an email, according to a report by the Bucks County Courier Times.

In May, there were four additional confirmed cases of the disease— three at Churchville Elementary and one at Holland Middle School, officials said. Parents with students who attend those schools were informed in each instance, the district said.

The district has assured parents that the schools have been thoroughly cleaned after each confirmed case of the highly-contagious respiratory disease, however whooping cough is airborne and does not survive on surfaces, officials said.

"Consequently, it is of utmost importance that we all are aware of the warning signs of pertussis, and to ensure that any student diagnosed with pertussis NOT return to school for at least five days while on antibiotics," Superintendent Robert Fraser said in a May email to parents.

Pertussis can be very serious, even deadly for infants and babies less than one, according to the CDC. Click here for more information about pertussis from the CDC.