A case of pertussis – also known as whooping cough – has been reported at the Brookhaven Art & Music Summer Music Camp at .
The school district last week mailed home letters announcing the report of the illness, a highly contagious bacterial disease that is commonly spread through the air by coughing from affected individuals.
A district spokesperson said the structure of the music program has not been altered in any way following the reporting of the pertussis case. There are approximately 500 students enrolled in the summer music program.
According to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, children and adults may develop pertussis even if vaccinated due to the decline in immunity to the disease. The letter, posted on the district website, provides information about the disease and directs parents and staff to call the county Department of Health Services at 631-853-3055 with questions about the disease or its vaccine.
