Whooping Cough Case Confirmed At High School In Montgomery County

UPPER MERION, PA — A case of the highly contagious whooping cough has been found at Upper Merion High School, officials confirmed.

It's the first case confirmed in the county since the outbreak earlier this spring, which involved primarily high school school students.

Read more: Whooping Cough Outbreak in Montgomery County

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is characterized as an irritating cough that progresses into violent coughing fits. It's easily transmittable, and school environments offer it an easy vector.

The Montgomery County Office of Public Health works with individual school districts on whooping cough cases, and helps guide them on what steps need to be taken, if any.

Students who have whooping cough symptoms are always asked to stay out of school. But in the past, health officials said districts should not expect any sort of extended quarantine process.

While the vast majority of individuals are vaccinated for whooping cough, the vaccine does not stop infection. However, even if infected, vaccinated individuals may not get as sick from the disease, the CDC said, and the vaccine is strongly recommended.

Health officials advise all residents to ensure they are up to date on their pertussis vaccination.

To learn more about getting the vaccine, see here.