The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has confirmed a case of Pertussis, or Whooping Cough, at Massey high school.
In a statement posted to the schools website, the health unit warns the highly contagious respiratory infection can be transmitted for up to 20-days after symptoms begin.
Initial symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, a fever and a mild cough. After one to two weeks the illness will progress to outbursts of "explosive coughing" that can interrupt breathing, eating, and sleeping — that can lead to gagging vomiting, and exhaustion.
Most children receive the Whooping Cough Vaccine and it's recommended people receive it one more time as an adult, according to the release.
The health unit recommends anyone who may have directly or indirectly come into contact with someone from the school, who aren't immunized against the disease, should consult a physician.
Pregnant women in their third trimester, and people with compromised immune system should also see a doctor.
A release from the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit posted on the Massey High School website. (Photo courtesy of www.publicboard.ca/school/Massey)