Whooping cough warning goes out in Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, N.C. — Five students in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school district have been diagnosed with whooping cough, according to the Orange County Health Department.

Families with students at Estes Hills Elementary School were notified after two siblings were diagnosed with whooping cough. The district sent letters to parents of all students who may have had contact with either of the children while they were contagious.

The health department noted that children who received a routine Tdap vaccine should be protected from infection.

Stephanie Knott, assistant to the superintendent for community relations, noted that students who are not immunized were encouraged to get an antibiotic.