Confirmed case of pertussis reported in Grant County School District

In the letter, parents were asked to monitor for possible symptoms of the disease and, if necessary, to contact a health care provider to find out if a screening test or treatment was needed.

Grant County Health Department Director Jeff Kindrai said the department had received 12 cases of pertussis at the county level this year. Three have been confirmed, eight have been dismissed and one is currently considered suspect or unconfirmed. In 2018, 41 pertussis cases were reported in the county and 38 in 2017.

Pertussis starts a little like a cold, with a runny nose, a slight irritating cough and possibly a low fever for one to two weeks, according to the letter. The disease can progress to an explosive cough and is usually followed by vomiting and exhaustion.

Parents in the Platteville School District whose children have cough should contact their child's doctor, the letter says. It is especially important to call a doctor if the child has a weakened cough and immune system or other health problem that may be aggravated by whooping cough, such as moderate to severe asthma.

Officials said that to help prevent whooping cough, make sure all family members are aware of pertussis vaccinations.

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