Montgomery County student diagnosed with whooping cough

February 14, 2012|By Bonnie L. Cook, Inquirer Staff Writer

A ninth grader at Pennfield Middle School in Montgomery County's North Penn School District has been diagnosed with whooping cough, an official said Monday.

The student came to school Monday morning, mentioned he had whooping cough last week, and was sent home, said Christine Liberaski, the district's manager of school and community engagement.

The district sees a handful of cases each year, she said.

In a letter to parents posted on North Penn's website, officials warned: "Your child may have been exposed."

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Whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory disease, is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It can be serious in children up to 7 and in those not immunized against the illness.

 


Contact staff writer Bonnie L. Cook at 610-313-8232 or bcook@phillynews.com.

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