September 12, 2014
Mariah Timms
News Writer
Maryland News
Montgomery County Health Officials have identified a new case of whooping cough among students in the county’s schools, bringing the total to 16 at this time. Officials also say that although all but one of the previously recorded students had spent time at the same Virginia summer camp, this student has not. The children who have fallen ill are between the ages of 9 and 18, and attend both public and private schools in the county. The spread of pertussis is often high as children return to school, and all seventh grade students are now required to have proof of a booster shot soon in order to remain in school. The county offered free boosters earlier this week.
Private schools have not been named, but the affected public schools include Gaithersburg, Sherwood, Walter Johnson and Thomas S. Wootton high schools; Robert Frost, Julius West and Cabin John middle schools; and Cold Spring Elementary School.
