A case of whooping cough has been confirmed at Middleburgh high school and officials are asking parents to check immunization records and monitor their children's health.
A letter from Superintendent Michele Weaver was sent home with students on Tuesday informing parents that a case of pertussis or whooping cough has been confirmed in the high school.
Ms. Weaver said the county health department and the district's health care provider, physician's assistant Nicole Dunn, "are closely monitoring the situation."
Most children have already been immunized against whopping cough, officials said. Prior immunization does decrease the risk of getting the disease; however immunization does not guarantee that children will not develop the disease.
MCS officials said parents should review their children's immunization records. Children should have received five pertussis vaccines (DTap) by the time they are five and one (Tdap) at 11. If a child's vaccinations are not up to date, vaccinations are available in the school-based health center for those enrolled.
Parents who suspect their child has been in direct contact with someone with whooping cough should contact their family doctor, Ms. Weaver said.
Pertussis is a highly contagious disease that is spread through the air by cough.
Whooping cough can begin with cold symptoms, a low grade fever and a cough, which becomes much worse over one to two weeks. Symptoms usually include a long series of coughs (coughing fits) followed by a whooping noise.
Older children, adults and very young children may not develop the whoop, officials said. Those with pertussis may have a series of coughs followed by vomiting, turning blue, or difficulty holding their breath. The cough is often worse at night and cough medicines usually do not alleviate the cough.
Officials said children under one and especially less than six months, are most likely to have severe symptoms if they develop whopping cough. When possible, very young children should be kept away from people with a cough and those who develop a coughing illness should be seen promptly by a doctor.
If a child develops cold symptoms that include a cough, parents should contact their doctor and tell the physician that pertussis has been identified in the child's schoolmates.
If parents suspect their child has whooping cough, they should not send their child to school until they have discussed the matter with their doctor.
More information about the disease can be found on the MCS website. For more information, contact the county health department at 295-8365 or your family doctor.