Woodland school district hit with whooping cough

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Woodland Public Schools is urging parents to keep watch of signs of whooping cough as the district confirmed several cases of the contagious respiratory tract infection in their buildings last week.

A letter from the district went out April 11 acknowledging the confirmed cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

In an email Woodland Public Schools Spokesman Eric Jacobson said that on April 9 the district became aware of four cases in the district. Buildings affected included Woodland primary, intermediate, middle and high schools, with each building having one confirmed case. All of those cases were students.

The letter to parents detailed the symptoms and options once those symptoms arise. Coughing "fits" followed by a "whooping" noise, vomiting, cyanosis (turning blue), or the inability to catch one's breath were all listed as symptoms in the letter.



In the letter, the district asked for parents to watch out for cold-like symptoms in the next three weeks. If those arise parents were urged to have their child evaluated “promptly” by their doctor for the disease.

Those who are pregnant or have children under a year old were also asked to talk to their doctor about antibiotics “as soon as possible” in order to prevent any further infection for those vulnerable populations.

Parents with questions are directed to call the Woodland School District Nurse, Channtel Miller at 360-841-2837.