Superintendent: Schools safe after whooping cough scare WOODBRIDGE - Schools Superintendent Vincent Smith assured the public last week that the Woodbridge High School building was safe after the school district announced a case of suspected whooping cough, which is also called pertussis, last week. "We followed protocol and did everything [that we needed to do] … The [case] was handled by the township Health and Human Services Department, and the state Department of Health and Senior Services were contacted," Smith said at the Board of Education meetingMarch 13. Smith said a letter including information about whopping cough from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services was sent out to parents, guardians and school staff on March 11. The letter stated that the school district had one case of suspected whopping cough identified inWoodbridge High School. The whopping cough is a highly contagious disease that is spread through the air by a cough or a sneeze. It begins with cold symptoms and a cough, which become much worse over one to two weeks. Symptoms usually include a long series of coughing fits followed by a whooping noise. However, older children, adults and very young infants may not develop the whoop and there is generally only a slight fever. People with pertussis may have a series of severe coughing fits followed immediately by vomiting, turning blue, or difficulty catching their breath. The cough is often worse at night, and cough medicines usually do not help alleviate the cough. The school district will continue to monitor the situation. For any general concerns or questions about pertussis, contact the district's health department at (732) 855-0600. Smith added that if parents or guardians have specific concerns or questions about their child, they should contact their health care provider.