15 Cases Of Whooping Cough Confirmed In Brookline

BROOKLINE, MA — Fifteen cases of pertussis, better known as whooping cough, have been confirmed in Brookline, mostly at Brookline High School, the town said in an update Thursday.

The first case was confirmed on June 5th, at which time the school district and the department of public health notified all families and provided guidance to Brookline High School and the Runkle School, where one additional case was identified, according to officials.

"The risk of public infection for whooping cough remains extremely low, and this update is being provided both out of an abundance of caution and in an effort to report to the community, in a transparent matter, the work being done between the Public Schools of Brookline and Brookline Public Health and Human Services," the town said.

Pertussis is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs and a person’s breathing, according to officials. It is easily spread from person to person and, while usually mild in older children and adults, can cause serious illness in very young children and infants.

Pertussis can be spread by droplets from the nose, mouth, and throat and can be sprayed into the air when a person coughs, sneezes, or talks, officials added. The first symptoms appear about 7-10 days after a person is exposed.

"With the school year ending, we feel it is important to update the community about the situation and steps our residents can take to avoid exposure to pertussis and other illnesses," Public Health and Human Services Director Sigalle Reiss said.

Vaccination is the best way to protect against pertussis, officials added. The pertussis vaccine for children less than seven years old is called DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) and the pertussis vaccine for children ages seven and older, adolescents, and adults is called Tdap.

Tdap is required for all Massachusetts students entering Grade 7.