To:  All Parents/Guardians of Shippensburg Area School Students
From:  C. Mummau, Superintendent
Date:  November 30, 2016

RE:  Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

As of 3:00 PM today, November 30, 2016, the district has 12 confirmed cases of the Whooping Cough.  Schools with confirmed cases are:  SAHS, SAMS, JBES, and Luhrs has an "unconfirmed" case.  Each student involved has been treated with antibiotics and once cleared they are returning to school under the guidance of their primary care physician and our school nurses.  There are over 60 confirmed cases by the PA Dept. of Health in the Franklin County/Cumberland County area.

Please be aware of the symptoms and causes.  See the information posted on the school district homepage and/or see the CDC website (Center for Disease Control).

 If you or anyone over age 10 has not had the TDAP vaccination or it has been over 10 years, please see your Primary Care physician or contact a local Health Clinic.

 Please be aware that the School Custodians are continuing to clean/disinfect known areas where the identified students have been, but also know that it is an airborne disease.  Please remind children to cough or sneeze into their elbow, a tissue, etc. and to take universal precautions like hand-washing, not sharing drinks, et al.

  Wishing everyone many healthy days ahead!

*Picture courtesy of the City of Portland, Oregon.