Three students have whooping cough
Released: November 2, 2005
Three students who live in residence halls on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus have been diagnosed with pertussis, also known as whooping cough, according to Dean of Students Tisa Mason.
The students live in Wells East and Wells West residence halls. Mason said students who live on the floors with the infected students have been notified of the illness, as have faculty, staff and other students who may have come in contact with ill students.
The students have either gone home or are no longer contagious, according to Mason. Pertussis is a contagious bacterial disease that affects the respiratory tract.
“We’ve taken all the necessary steps to make sure that the ill students are receiving proper medical care and that those who came in contact with the students are aware of the symptoms,” Mason said.
“Pertussis is not a life-threatening illness except for the very old or very young, but it can interfere with your ability to do class and homework for two weeks or more,” said John Macek, executive director of the University Health and Counseling services.
Students are warned that if they develop cold-like symptoms that they should contact the Health Center or their personal physician.
Last year in Wisconsin, 4,613 cases of whooping cough were reported. So far this year health officials have reported about 850 cases of the illness. For more information go to the Wisconsin Division of Public Health’s Web site on pertussis at dhfs.wisconsin.gov/communicable/Communicable/factsheets/pertussis.htm
- Sara Kuhl,kuhls@uww.edu
