By Gianna Bartolini ‘15

Reports from Montgomery County Health and Human Services indicate that 38 MCPS personnel have now been diagnosed with pertussis, better known as whooping cough. Since a student from Sherwood came down with it during the first week of school, a newsletter was sent out by the school to notify parents. Students were also instructed to remain vigilant of the symptoms, which include runny nose and a cough, which can intensify and become fatal if left untreated.

Since whooping cough threatens to become an epidemic, especially among younger, elementary and middle school-aged children, the county has put into effect mandatory vaccinations against it. According to the Washington Post, students who do not receive the vaccine are not going to be permitted into school beginning Monday, October 29.