Published: September 16, 2008 12:51 pm      

Pittsburgh-area school reports whooping cough

UPPER ST. CLAIR, Pa. — The Allegheny County Health Department has confirmed a case of whooping cough in a suburban Pittsburgh school district.

The sick student attends the Upper St. Clair school district. The highly contagious illness resembles a cold at first, but results in severe episodes of coughing and vomiting.

Officials say students vaccinated against pertussis — the clinical name for whooping cough — should be OK.

Last month, county health officials confirmed at least 11 cases of the respiratory bacterial infection among employees at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Pittsburgh.