Local

2nd NA student diagnosed with whooping cough

PITTSBURGH — The North Allegheny School District announced Monday that a second student has been diagnosed with pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough.

According to the announcement, the student attended North Allegheny Intermediate High School during the past school year, which ended on Thursday.

Another student, who attended band camp with other high school and middle school students, was diagnosed with pertussis last week. (CLICK HERE to read that story.)

Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease that is spread by sneezing or coughing.

According to the Allegheny County Health Department, the best way to control whooping cough is through vaccination.

Officials said older children can carry the pertussis bacteria home, exposing those too young to be vaccinated or adults whose immunity has begun to wane.

Anyone with questions should contact their family physician or the health department.

Channel 11’s news exchange partners at TribLIVE contributed to this report.