Parents warned as whooping cough hits school

Parents of pupils attending a Cork City primary school have been urged to check that their children’s vaccinations are up to date on foot of a suspected case of whooping cough at the school.

Public health officials have written to the parents of about 220 children attending Scoil Iósaf Naofa, in Crab Lane, Ballintemple, after a possible case of the highly contagious respiratory disease was identified.

In the letter delivered to parents yesterday, HSE senior medical officer Dr Mary Kieran warns that children not vaccinated against whooping cough are most at risk.