SPRINGBORO — School officials in Springboro on Wednesday notified parents about additional whooping cough cases, which have spread to two more district schools.
RELATED: 3 more cases of whooping cough confirmed at Springboro High School
Pertussis, or whooping cough, has been confirmed at Springboro High School and now Springboro Junior High and Intermediate schools, according to a letter from district nurse Bronwyn Patterson.
RELATED: Case of whooping cough reported in Springboro Schools
The first confirmed case was reported Oct. 23 at Springboro High School, followed by three more last week at the high school.
Pertussis — a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by bacteria — is a potentially life-threatening childhood illness that all but disappeared in the 1940s after a vaccine was developed. In recent decades, the illness has made a comeback, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To further prevent cases, the district is recommending:
- If ill or presenting signs/symptoms, please stay home
- If your student is seen by a medical provider and swabbed, he/she should remain at home until the test results have been received
- If your student has tested positive for pertussis (whooping cough), he/she should remain home for a minimum of 5 days on treatment
The illness begins with cold symptoms, such as runny nose, mild cough, low-grade fever and sneezing. Within several days, the cough becomes more severe and can be characterized by episodes of numerous rapid coughs, followed by a crowing or high pitched “whoop.”
For further information, contact the Warren County Health Department at 513-695-2097.
