KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A central Nebraska health department has reported a case of whooping cough in a middle school student.

Two Rivers Public Health Department identified the case of pertussis, or whooping cough, at Horizon Middle School in Kearney.

Information about whooping cough has been emailed to parents and can be found at www.kearneypublicschools.org .

Whooping cough is highly contagious and is spread when infected people cough or sneeze. It starts like the common cold, but can progress into violent coughing spells.

School officials are encouraging students to wash their hands often and use hand sanitizer to keep the disease from spreading.