WAYNE ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” Some confirmed cases of pertussis, also called whooping cough, were reported at Ceredo-Kenova Middle School in Ceredo, according to a letter Wayne County Schools recently shared with the schoolÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s families and other members of the public.
The letter from Superintendent Todd Alexander was included in a post Thursday on Wayne County SchoolsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ website that added that the letter was also ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œbeing sent home with students from Ceredo-Kenova Middle School today.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
School was continuing to operate on a normal schedule, the letter states.
The West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, in collaboration with the Cabell County Health Department, confirmed Friday it is responding to a pertussis outbreak at a Wayne County school.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œA public health investigation is ongoing, and close contacts of confirmed or probable cases are being identified and offered antimicrobial prophylaxis to help prevent further transmission,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Gailyn M. Markham, deputy director of communications for the state Department of Health, said in an email.
According to public health guidelines, a pertussis outbreak is defined as two or more cases from different households with symptom onset within a 42-day period.
As of Friday, fewer than five cases associated with the outbreak have been reported, Markham said in the email.
In line with public health recommendations, individuals diagnosed with pertussis are excluded from school for at least five days after beginning appropriate antibiotic treatment or for 21 days if untreated.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pertussis is a respiratory illness caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, which can ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œspread easily from person to person through the air.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
According to the districtÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s letter, the local health department informed the district that there have been fewer than five confirmed cases of pertussis reported at C-K Middle.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œPlease be assured that the District Office and school nurse are in ongoing communication with the local health department to monitor the situation,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ the letter continues. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe are following all guidelines and recommendations provided by health officials to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
According to the CDC, pertussis is generally treated with antibiotics. The CDC also lists vaccinations, preventative antibiotics (for those who have been exposed, if needed) and good hygiene in a section of its website concerning pertussis prevention.
More information on pertussis can be found at .
Jesten Richardson is a reporter and can be reached at jrichardson@hdmediallc.com and found on X (formerly Twitter) @JRichardsonHD.
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