Whooping Cough Alert At Creve Coeur School

Parents and staff at were notified of a confirmed case of pertussis, or whooping cough, this week.

According to a St. Louis County Health Department fact sheet distributed to parents, whooping cough "is a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes a persistent cough lasting several weeks or even months. It is caused by a bacterium (germ), Bordetella pertussis, which is found in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person."

A district spokesperson said it was a single case, which was reported to St. Louis County health officials. Information distributed to school parents and staff included recommendations from county officials suggesting:

• Keeping a child with cold symptoms and a cough home from school.
• Infants under six months are particularly at risk if they contract the illness.
• That children need to keep up their pertussis immunization, in addition to pursuing treatment