No New Whooping Cough Cases in Chatham

James Norgalis, the health officer with Madison's Department of Health, said he has "no information or reports of any other possible or suspected cases" of pertussis in the Chathams.

Pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contageous disease. Symptoms of whooping cough include coughing, runny nose and fever and worsen over one to two weeks.

Vaccines are available for children under 7 years, and booster vaccines are available for those between the ages of 10 and 64. Norgalis said in general "adults should consider getting the tetanus and pertussis booster periodically," but he did not see a grave risk to adults in this case.

One student at has been diagnosed with pertussis, and a second student is suspected of contracting the disease. Both are being treated with antibiotics, according to a letter from ' Interim Superintendent Dennis Fyffe.

"Children who have been vaccinated are generally at low risk, but some children who have been vaccinated have still contracted pertussis," Fyffe's letter reads in part.

Fyffe said WAS principal Mary Quigley has been collaborating and cooperating with the Department of Health, which is shared between and Madison.

No other cases have been reported in any other district schools, Fyffe said, but there have been other cases in Chatham residents who do not attend public schools and in other towns in Morris County.

"We're monitoring the situation and as any further information becomes available, we'll make it public," Norgalis said.