SERGEANT BLUFF, Iowa — another Siouxland high school student isbelieved to have contracted a case of the whooping cough, a schoolofficial said.

Sergeant Bluff-Luton School District Superintendent RodEarlywine said he learned Tuesday that a second student had aconfirmed case of the infectious disease whooping cough, orpertussis. he said the district informed parents last week that astudent, who has since come back to school, had a confirmed case ofthe disease.

Linda Drey, nursing director for Siouxland District HealthDepartment, said officials are aware of one confirmed case with twopossible cases pending. she said it’s normal for one or two morecases to appear after one person catches a contagious disease likethe whooping cough.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious, airborne bacterialinfection that has early symptoms similar to a cold or the flu.after two weeks, patients can experience violent coughing fits withthe trademark “whoop” as they struggle to breathe.

Officials at Sergeant Bluff-Luton sent a letter to parents lastweek, Earlywine said, warning them of the symptoms and urging themto seek medical care if they or their children seem sick.

“If your kid is feeling ill and has that terrible cough, getthem to the medical provider as soon as possible,” Earlywinesaid.

Drey said a few cases of whooping cough aren’t unusual, butillustrate the need to vaccinate against infectious diseases. Mostyounger school-age children are up-to-date on their whooping coughvaccinations, she said, but they should receive a booster whentheir immunity begins to wane around age 11.

All people should be aware of what they are and are notvaccinated for, she said.

“If you as an adult or your child have not had all yourrecommended vaccinations, you should the get vaccines,” shesaid.