A case of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, has been confirmed in a student attending the Mosaic Home Education Program.

Bainbridge Island School District parents received a letter regarding the pertussis case confirmation upon recommendation from the Kitsap Public Health District. The letter also highlighted signs and symptoms, along with advisement to get immunizations.

The recent whooping outbreak has been addressed by the Kitsap Public Health District over the last few months. Health district officials said the majority of pertussis cases in the county have been on Bainbridge Island, with the rest in North Kitsap.

Since June 2014, 121 cases of whooping cough have been reported to the district. Whooping cough is spread very easily through coughing and sneezing. Infected persons will notice cold-like symptoms that develops into a bad cough. Some violent coughing spells may end in gagging or vomiting.

Health officials said infants often may only have trouble breathing or feeding, or may turn purple, and need to be taken right away to a physician.

Those with pertussis symptoms are advised to seek medical evaluation, and those infected should stay home for a full five days, states the letter from the school district.

Vaccinated children and adults may still catch pertussis and spread it to others as vaccines tend to wear off over time. Infants aged 1 and younger are at a higher risk, as are those with weakened immune systems.

Generally, pertussis is treated with antibiotics which in turn control the symptoms and prevent the spread of infection to others, states the site.

For more information on the outbreak, visit www.kitsappublichealth.org.