After one case of whooping cough was reported at both Saugus High and Valencia High, two more cases of the illness have been reported within the William S. Hart Union High School District for a total of four within the past nine days.

On Thursday afternoon, it was previously reported that one case of pertussis, more commonly as whooping cough, had been found at Valencia High School, according to officials with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

“I can confirm that a message was sent from Valencia High to parents regarding pertussis,” said Dave Caldwell, spokesperson for the district, at the time.

The news broke a day after a case of whooping cough had been reported at Saugus High School, according to officials.

See Related: Whooping Cough Reported At Valencia High School By Public Health Officials

Soon after news of the Valencia case came out, residents reported to KHTS that a similar case had been reported at La Mesa Junior High School. Caldwell later confirmed that a message notifying parents had been sent out at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Additionally, KHTS obtained a letter notifying parents of students at Rio Norte Junior High School that one student had been diagnosed with pertussis. That letter was sent out on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

This brings the total cases of whooping cough reported within the William S. Hart Union High School District up to four within the past nine days.

See Related: Whooping Cough At Saugus High School Reported By Public Health Officials

In all cases, the emails that were sent out refer to information from Public Health outlining prevention and other information about whooping cough.

Pertussis, a respiratory illness commonly known as whooping cough, is a very contagious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis, according to the Department of Public Health.

Only found in humans, people with pertussis usually spread the disease to another person by coughing or sneezing, or when spending a lot of time near another person who shares breathing space, according to health officials.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends Pertussis vaccines for people of all ages. Babies and children are advised to get five doses of DTaP for maximum protection.

Infected people are most contagious up to about two weeks after the cough begins. Antibiotics may shorten the amount of time someone is contagious, according to officials.

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