Whooping cough reported at Mulvane High School

The Mulvane school district is warning parents about a whooping cough case at Mulvane High School.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious disease, spread by air. But it’s preventable through vaccines and treatable with antibiotics.

Mulvane schools posted a notice online about the reported whooping cough case. The warning did not specify if the person infected was a student, teacher or staff member.

The warning called for parents to make sure children are up-to-date with immunizations.

It also said: “The illness starts as a gradual cough that develops into a spasm, or fitful sudden coughing. Many coughs occur together, making it hard to breathe and causing a whooping sound. There may be clear, thick mucus in the air passages which may cause gagging and vomiting.”

The pertussis immunization is called DTaP. The Sedgwick County Health Department offers more information about whooping cough and immunizations.

This story was originally published December 2, 2016 at 7:46 AM with the headline "Whooping cough reported at Mulvane High School."