Wayne Student Diagnosed With Whooping Cough

WAYNE, NJ — A township student was diagnosed with whooping cough, a highly contagious and serious illness.

One case of the disease was reported at Pines Lake School, Superintendent Mark Toback confirmed Tuesday.

Principal Jose Celis notified parents Monday in an email blast of the diagnosis.

The district is responding "based on guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health," Toback said.

Whopping cough, or pertussis as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls it, can cause serious illness in babies, children, teenagers, and adults.

The disease usually starts with cold-like symptoms and maybe a mild cough or fever. Symptoms usually develop within five to 10 days after someone is exposed, but may not occur for as long as three weeks.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com