Bryant Public Schools released a statement on Tuesday that three students at Bryant Middle School were diagnosed with pertussis (whooping cough).
Pertussis is a highly contagious disease involving the respiratory tract caused by a bacterium called Bordetella pertussis.
The statement reads, “The health of our students is of the utmost importance to us. Our school nurses have been communicating with the Arkansas Department of Health to monitor the sick students as well as those who may have been in close contact with the students in the classroom, on the school bus, or other common areas at school.”
School nurses have been contacting parents of students who may have been exposed to the disease. If you have not heard from a school nurse by letter or a phone call, your child has NOT been identified as a student within exposure range of the ill students. It is still best to observe your child for any signs or symptoms of whooping cough, and if so, contact your physician.
For more information, contact the Saline County Health Unit, at 501-303-5650 or your family physician.