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Lee's Summit elementary students exposed to whooping cough

Posted at 5:47 PM, Sep 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-29 20:37:30-04

The Jackson County Health Department acknowledged they are investigating a possible outbreak of whooping cough as parents from one Lee's Summit elementary school received letters informing them their children have been exposed to the highly contagious disease. 

The Lee's Summit school district would not confirm where the Pertussis (whooping cough) cases were coming from, but did acknowledge over the phone there were a "small handful" at one school in one grade. 

The Jackson County Health Department sent 41 Action News the following statement, confirming at least three local cases so far. 

The Jackson County Health Department is investigating a possible outbreak of pertussis (whooping cough) in one of the schools within our jurisdiction. To date, there are three laboratory confirmed cases. Letters were distributed to the parents advising them of prevention, symptoms, and treatment of close contacts and those exhibiting symptoms.   

We do not name the school districts or schools.

The aforementioned letters were delivered to parents of Hazel Grove Elementary School on Monday. 

Kansas City hasn't seen a whooping cough outbreak since 2012. The Kansas City Missouri Health Department is urging parents to be cautious. 

"For those that are exposed, we want them to refer to their physician. Because whooping cough is very contagious and you catch it through the droplets that are airborne," said Denesha Snell of the Kansas City Missouri Health Department.  "Your first defense for whooping cough, or Pertussis, is to get vaccinated."

Whooping cough is transmitted via airborne bacteria filled droplets following violent coughing. Although, Pertussis isn't deadly, the disease can make your child very sick. 

"Time from when they may have been exposed to the time when they may be having symptoms can be as long as three weeks," said Snell. 

Vaccinated children are much less likely to catch whooping cough. Those children also typically suffer much milder symptoms. 

There are adult booster vaccinations available as well. 

For more information, you can visit Whoopingcough.net

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Josh Helmuth can be reached at josh.helmuth@kshb.com

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