Whooping cough diagnosed at White Oak Middle School

 A student at White Oak Middle School has been diagnosed with whooping cough.

A letter sent to parents Wednesday afternoon said to contain the spread of the infection, parents should monitor children for symptoms, keep sick children home and take them to see a physician for testing and treatment if they show signs or symptoms of pertussis.

Parents were told to take the letter from the school with them when seeking medical attention. The observation period for the exposure ends April 11.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.

Pertussis frequently mimics cold symptoms at the outset. The letter to parents said early signs of pertussis are similar to those of the common cold, with runny nose, sneezing and mild cough.

After one to two weeks, the cough becomes more severe and spasmodic. People can infect others from the time they begin to have cold-like symptoms until three weeks after the coughing episodes begin.

Adults and children who have had their DPT immunizations may have milder disease. However, pertussis can cause serious illness with sometimes fatal complications in young infants and persons with pre-existing respiratory disease.

People who haven't been immunized are also at-risk and should consult with their physicians.

A person with pertussis is infectious for five days after they begin antibiotics, the letter said.

Ohio law requires that "A person with pertussis. if effective antimicrobial therapy is given... shall be isolated for five days after initiation of antimicrobial therapy."

This means that if a child is diagnosed with pertussis, they must remain at home and may not attend school, daycare or other activities until five full days of antibiotics are given.

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Hamilton County Assistant Health Commissioner Craig Davidson said while whooping cough is occasionally reported in Hamilton County, the White Oak case is the most recent.

The law requires that the local health department complete a full investigation when results are positive for certain infectious diseases such as pertussis in order to prevent further spread. Davidson said the school will remain in communication with the health department.

Davidson said it's important for parents to follow the CDC vaccination guidelines to make sure booster shots are up to date. He said it is particularly important to protect newborns and infants, who are most at-risk. It is also suggested that adults who care for newborns and infants, including new parents and grandparents, to be up to date with their boosters as well.

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Northwest spokesman Dustin Gehring said the district is in communication with the health department, sent letters to parents and will continue to communicate with parents as needed.