Edison Middle School student diagnosed with whooping cough. Here's how Green Bay is doing.

A student at Edison Middle School was sent home due to a confirmed case of whooping cough last week, according to a letter sent to parents.

The letter stated the case occurred between Aug. 27 and 29, and that individuals who might be close contacts or whose children might be close contacts will be called directly by the Brown County Health and Human Services Department. The department confirmed it has have ongoing contact investigations, but did not say whether students or parents have been diagnosed with whooping cough.

There are currently over 35 cases of whooping cough in Brown County, according to deputy health officer Katrina Nordyke. Cases of whooping cough were first confirmed in Brown County in late April.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can be treated with antibiotics, according to Mayo Clinic. Its most common symptom is a hacking cough followed by a high-pitched inhale that can sound like a "whoop," although some people don't develop the "whoop" inhale. Other symptoms include a runny nose, nasal congestion, fever and red, watery eyes.

It takes about seven to 10 days after infection for symptoms to show. Whooping cough is most serious in babies, because it can cause pneumonia or even require hospitalization in severe cases.

There is a vaccine for whooping cough; Wisconsin residents can check if they or their children received the vaccine online at Wisconsin Immunization Registry . The state requires that children entering preschool or public or private schools to be vaccinated against whooping cough (pertussis), although it allows exemptions for medical, religious or philosophical reasons.

Children 18 and under can participate in Brown County's free immunization clinics. Anyone interested must make an appointment, and information can be found on the Health Department's website https://bit.ly/BrownCountyVaccineClinic .

Contact Green Bay education reporter Nadia Scharf at nscharf@gannett.com or on X at @nadiaascharf.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Edison Middle School student diagnosed with whooping cough. Here's how Green Bay is doing.