A student at Adams Middle School in North Platte has been diagnosed with whooping cough.

Adams Middle School Principal, Jeff Steinbeck, contacted sixth grade students and their parents through an automated phone message and via email on Friday evening.

According to Steinbeck, seventh and eighth grade students at the school have already received the vaccination as part of their school mandated vaccine schedule.

“As a precaution against the spread of whooping cough, our District is advising that 6th grade students get a vaccination as soon as possible,” said Steinbeck.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.

Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After fits of many coughs, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breathes which result in a “whooping” sound. Pertussis most commonly affects infants and young children and can be fatal, especially in babies less than 1 year of age.

Officials from the West Central District Health Department will be administering the vaccine in the Adams Middle School Library this evening until 8:30 p.m.

Vaccines will be given until the current supply is depleted.  More vaccinations will be offered early next week when additional doses are available.

There is no cost for the vaccine for those with insurance or medicaid, according to Steinbeck, and there are a number of “gift doses” available for those without insurance.

Students receiving a vaccination must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.