District Confirms Whooping Cough Case at Commack High School

An individual at has been diagnosed with Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, according to a message posted on the district's website Monday.

The bulletin, signed by Superintendent Donald James, did not identify the individual or say whether they are a student or faculty member. 

The announcement comes just two months after the district at the High School in October.

According to the message, the individual is currently undergoing treatment for the disease and will return to the school only after treatment is completed. The post also stated that since the disease is highly contagious, it is possible that other cases will surface.

"While we currently have only one confirmed case at the high school, Pertussis is highly contagious. Therefore, it is possible that subsequent cases will be diagnosed," the message said.

A letter from the Suffolk County Department of Health explaining the disease, how it is spread, and how it is treated has been mailed to the parents of all high school students.

The message posted on the district website provides information about the disease and directs parents and staff to call the county Department of Health Services at 631-853-3055, with questions about the disease and the Pertussis vaccine.

According to the Suffolk County Department of health, Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory illness that is spread through the air by cough from an infected individual. It can take up to three weeks for symptoms to develop and last for up to six weeks. 

Symptoms include fever and coughing fits accompanied by long whooping sounds and or vomiting/gagging. In some cases, Whooping Cough can be fatal to infants who are not fully immunized.