14 News, The Tri-State's News and Weather Leader-Whooping cough discovered in Western KY

Whooping cough discovered in Western KY

By Becky Graham - bio | email | Twitter
Posted by Braden Walker - email

HENDERSON COUNTY (WFIE) - Officials from the Green River District Health Department, which serves 7 counties in western Kentucky, have discovered 10 cases of whooping cough.

The cases have been reported in the last 2 months and the most recent case came to them last week from Henderson County.

A student at Spottsville Elementary School was diagnosed with the infection and immediately taken out of school.

The Henderson County Board of Education reacted quickly by informing parents of the case and providing them with a list of symptoms.

Morganna Stanley, Assistant Superintendent of Henderson County Schools tells 14 News that she can't predict when health related situations will arise, but hopes to prevent them from spreading.

"I think being proactive in getting that letter out there to the parents to educate them, to say yes, there was a case in our school district and it was confined to this school," Stanley said. "The letter that was sent home gave very good information as far as symptoms, preventive methods; the washing of the hands and things like that and covering your mouth when you sneeze. I think the most proactive way is just getting the communication out there."

Whooping Cough Symptoms

Runny nose
Sneezing
Mild cough
Low-grade fever

After about 2 weeks, the individuals dry, irritating cough evolves into coughing spells, giving the disease its name: whooping cough.

Health officials tell us they now recommend individuals between the ages of 11 and 64 get an additional vaccination.