One case of whooping cough has been confirmed at Sakai Intermediate School on Bainbridge Island.

Sakai principal Jim Corsetti sent a message to parents about the case of whooping cough on Thursday and reminded them that updated vaccinations — including the Tdap vaccination for pertussis — are required for students entering sixth grade.

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a respiratory illness and is highly contagious. It can pose serious health concerns in young children and infants.

State Secretary of Health Mary Selecky declared an epidemic of pertussis in Washington on April 3.

Approximately 1,484 cases of whooping cough have been reported in the state so far this year — only 134 cases were reported during the same time period in 2011. Kitsap County has had 40 cases of whooping cough reported.