Outbreak of Whooping Cough at Lane Tech High School: Part of Nationwide Uptick in Cases
Five Students Diagnosed with Whooping Cough at Lane Tech High School
Five students at Lane Tech High School have been diagnosed with whooping cough this year, part of an upward trend nationwide of the respiratory illness, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Cases Span Three Grades at the High School
The cases span three grades at the high school, a spokesperson for Chicago Public Schools confirmed to the Sun-Times on Monday. A letter was sent out to the school community following the diagnoses.
The Majority of Students are Vaccinated
The school district said the majority of its students are vaccinated against whooping cough, also known as pertussis. Vaccination is required for students at CPS schools, except those with religious exemptions.
City Health Agency Responds to Outbreak
“The health, safety and well-being of students and staff is a top priority, and that is why Chicago Public Schools continues to work closely with the Chicago Department of Public Health to respond to all communicable and vaccine preventable disease cases,” a spokesperson for CPS said in a statement. “CPS and CDPH are actively monitoring the situation and providing communication to the Lane Tech High School community.”
Nationwide Uptick in Whooping Cough Cases
Rates of whooping cough diagnoses are returning to pre-pandemic levels, with nearly five times the number of cases nationwide since the start of 2024 compared with the same time last year, according to CDC data. Chicago has seen 2.3 times more cases in the same time frame, with the majority of cases in children between 5 and 17, according to the city health agency.
Symptoms of Whooping Cough
Symptoms of the respiratory illness often start five to 10 days after exposure, and include difficulty sleeping, struggling to breathe, and vomiting and fatigue due to coughing fits, according to the CDC. The illness also causes people to make a “whoop” sound when coughing.
Prevention and Treatment
The federal health agency also says outbreaks are common in hospitals, day care centers, and schools. Children younger than 1 year old, those with compromised immune systems, and those with mild to severe asthma are most at risk of the illness, though it can be prevented through vaccines, which the city health agency provides at its vaccine clinics.
Conclusion
The outbreak of whooping cough at Lane Tech High School is a reminder of the importance of vaccination and the need for continued vigilance in our community. As the city health agency and school district work together to respond to the outbreak, it is essential that we prioritize the health and well-being of our students and staff.
FAQs
* What is whooping cough?
+ Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a respiratory illness caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.
* What are the symptoms of whooping cough?
+ Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, struggling to breathe, and vomiting and fatigue due to coughing fits, as well as a characteristic “whoop” sound when coughing.
* How is whooping cough spread?
+ Whooping cough is spread through respiratory droplets that are released when an infected person coughs, talks, or sneezes. It can also be spread through contact with an infected person’s saliva, mucus, or other bodily fluids.
* How can I protect myself and my child from whooping cough?
+ The single best way to protect yourself and your child from severe pertussis is vaccination. The city health agency provides vaccines at its vaccine clinics, and vaccination is required for students at CPS schools, except those with religious exemptions.
