RHINELANDER, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – The Rhinelander School District announced Friday it was dismissing classes early for the Christmas break due to high illnesses – mostly whooping cough.
Schools will close Monday and reopen Jan. 2 based on a joint decision by the district and the Oneida County Health Department, spokesman Mike Cheslock said.
There’s been a “high incidence of a variety of illnesses among students and staff. Presently, the main illness emerging is Pertussis (Whooping Cough),” he said in a statement. “The district and the health department have noted evidence of rising illness and feel it is time to take action to prevent the further spread of illness.”
Pertussis is the scientific name for whooping cough, which has symptoms similar to a common cold with a cough that gets progressively worse. It is a highly contagious bacterial disease and can be life-threatening for infants younger than 12 months.
