Hardin County Health Department Director Sharon Whitley says there are four confirmed and seven probable cases of whooping cough, also called pertussis, effecting students at three different schools. Whitley broke down the numbers for each school:
Lumberton High School
Three confirmed cases and one probable case
Lumberton Middle School
Four probable cases
West Hardin High School
One confirmed case and two probable cases
Whitley told our news partner, KFDM 6 News, that the cases are not defined as an outbreak. A very contagious respiratory illness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says whooping cough may begin like a common cold, but the coughing can last for weeks or even months. The CDC says it is treated with antibiotics.
https://www.kjas.com/news/local_news/article_70991072-bc9d-11ef-a42c-2f9ae258a228.html