Parents and guardians of Woodbridge High School were notified by letter Tuesday that one case of suspected pertussis, also known as whooping cough, was identified at the Kelly Street school.
In a letter from Schools Superintendent Vincent Smith, he wrote that whooping cough "is a highly contagious disease that is spread through the air by a cough or sneeze." It begins with cold symptoms and a cough that worsens over one to two weeks, the letter indicated.
"Symptoms usually include a long serious of coughing fits followed by a whooping noise. However, older children, adults and very young infants may not develop the whoop," Smith wrote.
If students have been around someone with pertussis, he or she may become sick with the disease. Smith wrote that students whose shots aren't up to date may be more susceptible to the disease. Smith asked parents and guardians not to send their child to school if he or she exhibits the symptoms.
"The school district will continue to monitor the situation at the school and, if additional actions to control the spread of pertussis among pupils become necessary, parents will again be informed," Smith wrote.
For more information, contact the district's health department at (732) 855-0600.