The Knox County Health Department is investigating a case of pertussis at a Mount Vernon elementary school. A letter was emailed Thursday afternoon to parents and guardians of students at Wiggin Street Elementary in Gambier.

Pertussis, commonly referred to as whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory infection that can be very serious especially for infants and young children and anyone with a compromised immune system.

The letter to parents was a cautionary step to inform parents and identify other affected students who could be treated quickly to reduce the severity of the infection. (Click here to read more)