The Cayuga County Health Department received laboratory confirmation that five city of Auburn residents have been diagnosed with pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

The common contagious disease involves the respiratory tract and is caused by bacterium found in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person.

The initial two cases include an infant and his mother.

The three additional cases involve Auburn High School students.

Among the students, aside from all attending the same school, there does not appear to be any personal or other relationship which could be attributed to the disease communicably.

High school officials sent a notice dated June 8 home to all families making them aware of the diagnosis.

The health department has sent physician alert notices to all primary care physicians, hospitals and urgent care centers to remind them to keep in mind pertussis as a potential diagnosis when seeing patients presenting the symptoms.

Patients suspected of having pertussis are asked to stay home until medical lab results are confirmed to help prevent the spread of the illness. If a patient is diagnosed, patients will be prescribed antibiotics to help cure the infection.

Pertussis often begins as a mild respiratory infection resembling the common cold.

Within two weeks the cough becomes more severe and is characterized by numerous rapid coughs followed by a high pitched whoop.