Officials in the Lakota and Finneytown schools have sent letters to parents after six cases of pertussis — whooping cough — were confirmed in Lakota since mid-October and at least two in Finneytown since mid-November.

        Pertussis is a highly contagious, bacteria-borne disease that causes a severe, whooping-like cough in children.

        In Lakota, five cases were confirmed at Woodland Elementary and one at Union Elementary, said school nurse Kathy Singer. A four-year-old in the Woodland attendance area was the first confirmed case this fall, said Judi Owens, nursing director for the Butler County Health Department.

        In Finneytown, there was one case each at the middle and high school, according to a Nov. 30 letter sent to parents.

        Hamilton County Health Commissioner Tim Ingram said there have been 44 cases of whooping cough this year, including 16 in the last three months. Last year there were 38 cases.

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