Northeast Colorado Health Department: February 14th, 2025 - Staff may have been exposed to pertussis, also known as “whooping cough”, at Fort Morgan Middle School, 8th grade. Pertussis is an illness spread to others when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Pertussis may be very severe in infants and young children (especially those without 3 doses of pertussis vaccine). Symptoms may appear 7 to 10 days after being in close contact with someone that has pertussis but can take anywhere from 4 to 21 days.
Pertussis begins with cold-like symptoms that may include:
● Runny nose
● Mild coughing
● Low-grade fever
After one to two weeks, coughing becomes more severe and develops into coughing fits (many, rapid coughs) that leave a person out of breath. These fits are often followed by a high-pitched “whooping” sound heard when a person inhales. Severe coughing fits can cause vomiting or changes in facial color. In between coughing fits, your child may look and feel fine. If you are coughing, tell your doctor. Staff diagnosed with pertussis must be kept home from school and should avoid crowded public places and contact with people at risk of severe disease (infants, pregnant woman, people with severe medical conditions) until completing five days of an appropriate antibiotic.
If you have any questions please contact Tammy Hort at 970-522-3741 ext. 1241.