Latest news with #BelleVernonAreaSchoolDistrict
CBS News
22-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Fourth case of whooping cough reported at Rostraver Elementary School
A fourth case of whooping cough has been reported at Rostraver Elementary in the Belle Vernon Area School District. Belle Vernon Area Superintendent Dr. Timothy Glasspool notified the school community in a letter on Wednesday, saying that the district was notified of the confirmed case by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Three previous cases were reported in late April and early May and Dr. Glasspool says there's no known connection or link between the four students who have tested positive for the illness. The students who have tested positive are in first, second, and fifth grades, Dr. Glasspool said. Dr. Glasspool said that the Department of Health isn't recommending any changes to school operations, but the district is strongly encouraging families to keep students home from school and activities if they are showing signs of illness, especially if they are coughing." Last year, cases of whooping cough spiked on the state and national level, and Allegheny County's newly released data shows the county was hit hard. Whooping cough is characterized by violent or prolonged coughing, and is highly contagious.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
3rd confirmed case of whooping cough confirmed at Rostraver Elementary School
The Belle Vernon Area School District notified parents on Friday about another case of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, at Rostraver Elementary School. School administrators sent a letter to parents, letting families know there has been a third case of whooping cough confirmed by state health officials. The letter said while the Pennsylvania Department of Health is not recommending any changes to school operations at this time, they want everyone to remain vigilant and be cognizant of symptoms. 'For the first 5-10 days, up to 21 days, you can have cold-like symptoms. We're talking running nose, stuffy nose, watery eyes, sometimes fever and cough,' said Dr. Todd Wolynn of the Trusted Messenger Program. If the symptoms persist for weeks or continue to get worse, Wolynn said it's a good idea to keep your kids home from school. 'If your kid is vaccinated, the chance of them getting this is low -- really low. But the deal would be if this cough is going on more than the typical week, that your symptoms aren't improving, to the point you're coughing, you're gagging, you're choking…[stay home],' Wolynn said. It's not just school-aged children at risk. Dr. Wolynn said whooping cough is especially dangerous for infants. 'This is life-threatening. Pertussis kills infants, partly because their airway is so small, so when they have inflammation and mucus that builds up in the airway, it causes the classic whoop,' Wolynn said. It's unclear if the three confirmed cases at Rostraver Elementary involve students who are unvaccinated. For more resources, click here. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
