The Grand Traverse County Health Department is monitoring an outbreak of pertussis - commonly known as whooping cough - spanning multiple grades and classrooms at Grand Traverse Academy. Health officials say there are six confirmed cases of the disease, as well as 12 suspected cases and additional symptomatic students.

"To further stop the spread of the current outbreak, we are recommending that all students and staff at this school receive prophylactic antibiotics," the Health Department advised in a written statement. Officials are also recommending "all household contacts and close contacts of these cases receive prophylactic antibiotics, regardless of immunization status."

Early symptoms of the disease can last one to two weeks and include runny nose, low-grade fever, mild/occasional cough and in infants, apnea (a pause in breathing). The incubation period is usually 7 to 10 days. At its peak, pertussis can cause rapid and violent coughing, which can lead to vomiting and fatigue in victims. Transmission occurs from close contact with infected human respiratory secretions.

Officials state that booster shots for the disease are critical, "because unlike some other vaccine-preventable diseases, neither the pertussis disease nor vaccine confers lifelong immunity." The best way to prevent cases and outbreaks, according to the Health Department, "is to have the highest possible level of immunization in the community."

The outbreak comes on the heels of concerns expressed by local health officials that escalating vaccine waiver rates among area schools could lead to an outbreak of a preventable disease. In September, Grand Traverse County Health Department Medical Director Dr. Michael Collins told The Ticker the likelihood of a whooping cough outbreak occurring in the community in the next five years was "fifty-fifty."

According to state records, Grand Traverse Academy has an 18 percent vaccine waiver rate among its kindergarten, sixth grade and "other" (new/transfer) classes - seven percent higher than the county average of 11 percent.