Parents concerned after school district warns of possible exposure to whooping cough

OAKWOOD — A Miami Valley district let parents know their child may have been exposed to a dangerous disease.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As reported on News Center 7 at 5:30, Erinn Prilo is a parent of a kindergartener and second-grader at Oakwood City School District.

TRENDING STORIES:

• 3 people killed in medical helicopter crash in Northern Kentucky ID’d; preliminary report released
• 2 men hospitalized after crash involving Mustang
• Ohio TV reporter seriously injured in shooting; man dead

She said she was surprised to hear a case of whooping cough, or Pertussis, was confirmed in the district.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: School district warns of possible exposure to whooping cough

“When I tell you I’m surprised because I know there’s a vaccine for it. So actually, I’m very surprised that people wouldn’t vaccinate their kids and then we wouldn’t have that,” Prilo said.

An infectious disease physician at Dayton Children’s Hospital said it’s not uncommon to see cases of whooping cough this time of year.

“If they know their friend’s sick, maybe not going to hang out with their friend that sick for that weekend,” Dr. Woltmann said.

He also shared ways to stay healthy as we approach the colder months.

Woltmann said it’s important to stay up to death on your vaccines and that it’s better to be protected before a disease affects your community.

Also, it may seem simple, but remember to wash your hands.

Prilo is already ahead.

“I’m always like, first thing, wash your hands, and before you eat, wash hands. And so it probably won’t change,” she said.

More information about whooping cough can be found here.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]