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SALT LAKE CITY — Cases of whooping cough are now reported in two Utah counties and involve 11 people.
Seven cases were reported at North Park Elementary in Cache County. Now a Granite School District spokesman confirms four cases at Wasatch Junior High in Salt Lake City.
So far, the Salt Lake Valley Health Department is telling the district simply to warn parents, which they've done. Students who have not been immunized are required to stay away from school for three weeks. North Park has temporarily excluded as many as 15 students from attendance who were not vaccinated against the disease.
Related:
Whooping cough outbreak reported in Cache Valley
Officials are reporting a whooping cough outbreak at North Park Elementary school.Whooping cough, or pertussis, is easily treated but highly contagious. The disease results from a bacterial infection and causes prolonged coughing fits and respiratory problems.
A district spokesman in Logan says he does not anticipate that outbreak will grow exponentially.
The symptoms of whooping cough usually occur in two stages:
- First stage
Runny nose
sneezing
Possibly low-grade fever - Second stage
Uncontrolled coughing spells or fits
Possible whooping noise when child breathes in
Can last for 6-10 weeks
If your child has these symptoms keep them home and contact your health care provider. Contributing: Andrew Wittenberg and Benjamin Wood
