A case of Pertussis, commonly referred to as whooping cough, was confirmed in a student at Lakota West High School, according to county health officials.

The Butler County Health Department sent a letter to parents Aug. 31 detailing that a student attending the high school was diagnosed with the communicable disease and other students could have been exposed.

Pertussis can be spread from person to person, among those in close contact with one another. A “close contact” is defined as anyone who has had face-to-face contact with the child or shared a confined space for a prolonged period of time, four hours or more, according to Sandena Bickers of the health department.

The incubation period is seven to 10 days but symptoms could be seen as late as 21 days after exposure.

“Even if symptoms are not present, the health department recommends that those in close contacs see their healthcare provider and start antibiotics,” according to Bickers. “This is recommended even if they have already received the shot to protect against Pertussis.”

Bickers said Pertussis is especially concerning for infants under 12 months of age.

In Butler and Warren counties, there were six cases of Pertussis recorded from Jan. 1 to March 31 of this year. In 2011, there were 11 cases in Butler County; nine cases in Warren County, according to the Ohio Department of Health.