Officials with the Hopkins County Health Department say a student at Dawson Springs Independent Schools has tested positive for Pertussis, also known as whooping cough.
Superintendent Lenny Whalen announced on social media Wednesday that the health department had notified the district that a lower-grade elementary student had tested positive for whooping cough and information was sent home with students related to this matter.
According to health officials, whooping cough is a bacterial illness that can spread through the air when people cough or sneeze. If not treated, they say it can spread easily to others.
Officials note this disease is very contagious and can be very serious, especially in babies. They say babies are often infected by older siblings, parents, and caregivers. About half of the babies that contact whooping cough need to be hospitalized. Treatment includes antibiotics, however, officials add the best prevention is pertussis vaccination.
Whalen’s notice to parents said one positive to this situation is, a vast majority of their students and staff have already been vaccinated for Pertussis. He said for those who have been vaccinated, will not contract whooping cough, and if they do, Whalen notes the symptoms are likely to be much lighter than those with the vaccination.
Whalen indicates the district is working closely with the Hopkins County Health Department and they are responsible for doing all contract tracing, reviewing vaccination records, and making notification contacts.
In addition, Whalen said the school district will be doing its best daily to sanitize and disinfect impacted classrooms as well as other areas across all the schools.
