Case Of Whooping Cough Reported At Pflugerville High School

PFLUGERVILLE, TEXAS — County health officials have released an advisory alerting to a confirmed case of whooping cough at Pflugerville High School.

Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services officials issued the alert Tuesday night, alerting to a student diagnosed with pertussis. The ailment commonly known as whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection, according to the Mayo Clinic. "In many people, it's marked by a severe hacking cough followed by a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like 'whoop,' " medical officials write on the Mayo Clinic website.

In light of the Pflugerville case, county health officials outlined steps parents and students should take:

• Parents are advised to consult with their child’s physician due to this pertussis exposure for medical care other than observation for signs of pertussis.
• Observe all household members for the signs/symptoms described in the attached pertussis information sheet. If signs and symptoms develop in a household member, please contact your physician for evaluation and possible treatment. Be sure to mention your child's exposure to pertussis and provide your physician this letter.
• Immunization records should be checked and any child or adult who is under-immunized or not immunized should follow up with their physician to receive age-appropriate pertussis-containing tetanus/diphtheria vaccine.
• Notify Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services as well as your school if your child or any household member is suspected of having pertussis. If your physician suspects you or your child has pertussis, please do not attend school until you/your child has been cleared to return by the physician and health department.

Health and Human Services officials currently are working with school administration to prevent further spread of the disease. Those with additional questions can call (512) 972-5555.

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