False alarm: No whooping cough at Carol Stream school

DuPage County health officials have determined a student at Evergreen Elementary School in Carol Stream does not have whooping cough.

Benjamin Elementary District 25 officials became aware of the suspected case Monday, Superintendent Phil Ehrhardt said.

Evergreen Principal Laura Pfanenstiel sent letters to parents warning that students may have been exposed to whooping cough or pertussis. Cleaning crews disinfected surfaces such as desk tops and light switches at the school Monday.

But an investigation by the DuPage County Health Department indicates the student did not develop the highly contagious illness, spokesman Don Bolger said Tuesday.

Symptoms of pertussis include a runny nose, low fever and a cough with a "whooping" sound, according to the health department.