Whooping cough case confirmed at North Penn High School

A case of whooping cough, a highly-contagious bacterial infection also known as pertussis, has been confirmed at North Penn High School, a Montgomery County spokesperson said Thursday afternoon.

The county was notified Monday of one case of pertussis at the Towamencin Township high school.

“The Health and Human Services' Office of Public Health offered to supply the school with a letter template to facilitate communication with the school community about symptoms and prevention,” according to the county.

North Penn High School is one of two high schools dealing with whooping cough: Upper Merion High School confirmed a case to the county Office of Public Health on Tuesday.

According to the CDC, the number of confirmed cases nationwide is five times higher now than at this time last year, with case rates climbing in Pennsylvania.

North Penn School District did not send out a district-wide email alert, but rather to North Penn High School parents only, signed by Principal Kyle Hassler: 

The Montgomery County Office of Public Health (MCOPH) has identified a case of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, at North Penn High School. This information was reported to MCOPH and reported to North Penn School District on 11/20/2024.

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a very contagious disease. It can spread when a person with pertussis coughs or sneezes. A person with pertussis can spread the disease for several weeks unless treated.

To protect yourself and others from getting sick, take action to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, like pertussis:

• Avoid close contact with sick people: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
• Stay home when you are sick: It is important to stay home when sick for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
• Wash your hands often:  Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth: Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Clean and disinfect: Clean surfaces and objects that are touched frequently, including desks, doorknobs, railings, computer keyboards, phones, and toys.
• Staying up to date with your vaccinations: Vaccines help your body create protective antibodies that help it fight off infections. By getting vaccinated, you can protect yourself and avoid spreading preventable diseases to other people in your community.

If you think that your child has been exposed to pertussis or develops cold symptoms that include cough, contact their healthcare provider.

Please refer to the resources provided for more information about pertussis. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact MCOPH at (610) 278-5117 or at [email protected].