The South Dakota Department of Health has confirmed a case of whooping cough in a student from the Sioux Falls School District, specifically at Roosevelt High School. In an email sent to parents, the district stated that those who had close contact with the student received additional notifications.
The school advised that no further action is required except for monitoring for symptoms. Recently, whooping cough outbreaks have been rising in South Dakota, with 55 cases reported as of September 7, compared to just 22 at the same time last year.
In a separate letter, SFSD Health Services Supervisor Molly Satter emphasized the contagious nature of whooping cough, which spreads through the air, and urged parents to keep an eye out for any signs of cough-related illness in their children. Last weekend, a similar outbreak among the Portland State football team led to the cancellation of a game against the University of South Dakota.