Dear Putnam Valley Community: As required by the New York State Department of Health, we are notifying you that a person in our elementary school was recently diagnosed with pertussis (whooping cough). Pertussis is an illness particularly notable for its severe and long-lasting cough. The following information has been provided by the Putnam County Department of Health. Pertussis is a highly contagious disease spread through the air by coughing or sneezing. Pertussis begins with cold symptoms followed by a cough that becomes much worse over 1-2 weeks. Symptoms usually include a long series of coughs (“coughing fits”) sometimes followed by a whooping noise ...