Whooping cough concerns in Chatham County

CHATHAM COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Chatham County health leaders are concerned some students may have been exposed to pertussis, which is also known as whooping cough.

Last week, two Northwood High School students were treated for the highly-contagious disease. There's a third possible case at Pollard Middle School.

Pertussis is a bacterial illness that can cause severe, long-lasting coughing fits. It can be deadly in some cases.

North Carolina requires students to get the vaccine.

Health officials wouldn't say how the students contracted the disease or their prognosis.

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