Montgomery County High School Dealing With An Outbreak Of Whooping Cough
By Dan Wing
SOUDERTON, Pa., (CBS) -- School officials say there are now 2 confirmed cases of Pertussis involving a pair of 9th grade students at Souderton Area High School, and the Montgomery County Health Department has now placed the school under "Outbreak Status," meaning any students with a cough should not attend school until being seen by a doctor.
According to a statement on the district's website, the first case was confirmed by the Montgomery County Health Department (MCHD) on Wednesday, March 11.
The district's website says as a result of an additional student's diagnosis with Pertussis, the Health Department has declared the high school in "Outbreak Status."
"The Health Department recommends that any students with a cough not come to school until they have been examined and tested for Pertussis by their physician," reads the statement on the district's website.
Pertussis, or Whooping Cough, is easily spread through bodily fluids and coughing or sneezing, and can lead to symptoms like a runny nose, sudden, uncontrollable bursts or spells of coughing that persists and sometimes cause vomiting. It can be fatal in younger children, and usually starts with symptoms like a common cold.
The Montgomery County Health Department says anyone with concerns, or in need of more information can call them at (610) 278-5117