Update: 5-year-old diagnosed with Whooping Cough at Pink Hill Elementary

Around 90 people, including students and staff at Pink Hill Elementary were exposed to the child.

By: Stephanie Moore | WNCT-On Your Side , WNCT Staff | WNCT
Published: October 28, 2011
Updated: October 31, 2011 - 11:33 AM

PINK HILL, N.C. - Nurses in Lenoir County continue to give out antibiotics this afternoon to 90 people believed to have come in contact with whooping cough.

The count, now close to 80 people who have received the medication.

This, after a 5-year-old boy in Pink Hill contracted the disease last Wednesday. A reaction to the vaccine prevented the boy from completing his dosage.

Tonight at 5 and 6 we'll have more on the vaccination regiments you need to pay attention to this season.

--- Original Story ---

PINK HILL, N.C. - Health officials confirm a student at Pink Hill Elementary School in Lenoir County has been diagnosed with Whooping Cough.

The Lenoir County Health Department tells Nine On Your Side a 5-year-old boy was diagnosed with Whooping Cough, or pertusiss - a highly contagious bacterial infection. No word on when the child first became ill. Officials say the boy was previously vaccinated, and that chances of getting Whooping Cough with immunization is very unlikely.

Around 90 people, including students and staff at Pink Hill Elementary were exposed to the child. Health officials say they're in the process of treating those contacts. Health officials set up a temporary clinic at the Pink Hill Wellness Center. As of early Friday afternoon, more than 30 people had been treated.

Whooping Cough causes uncontrollable, violent coughing, that can make it hard to breathe. A deep "whooping" sound is often heard when the patient tries to take a breath.