Weatherly Area School District officials have warned parents that their child may have been exposed to pertussis, better known as whooping cough.

The district's nurse contacted parents and posted a message on the district website Tuesday.Pertussis affects the airways and is spread through coughing and sneezing.Students are required to get immunized for the infection, however families are allowed to seek a legal exemption from the vaccine mandate for religious reasons.Weatherly school officials were unavailable for comment Tuesday afternoon.Whooping cough is severe enough that it requires reports to the state Department of Health, but it is relatively common.In November, the state offered free vaccinations in Franklin County because of a number of incidents there.Pleasant Valley reported having cases of the illness in December 2015. Lehighton Area School District reported an infection in 2014.The vaccine for pertussis also prevents tetanus and diphtheria. Children are recommended to get five doses before the age of 7, and another vaccine at age 11.