In a letter sent to parents by Wadsworth City Schools, officials confirmed a third case of whooping cough within the district during the month of May.
According to Superintendent Andrew J. Hill, a student at the high school was diagnosed with pertussis, more commonly referred to as whooping cough. The case was confirmed by the Medina County Health Department. School officials said that while they were told by the health department the number of cases doesn't qualify as an outbreak, they decided to notify parents as a precaution.
In addition to the letter, the district also sent out a fact sheet with information about the infection.
Here are some excerpts from the fact sheet:
- Pertussis can occur at any age.
- Pertussis is primarily spread from person to person by direct contact with mucus or droplets from the nose and throat of infected individuals.
- Pertussis begins as a mild upper respiratory infection.
- If untreated, a person can transmit pertussis from onset of symptoms to three weeks after the onset of coughing episodes.
Anyone with any questions about whooping cough is asked to call the Medina County Health Department at 330-723-9688. Questions regarding the school district should be directed to the superintendent's office at 330-335-1301.
You can read the letter and fact sheet sent to parents below:
