MURRAY — A rash of pertussis cases at American International School of Utah caused school to be closed Friday.

Nicholas Rupp, spokesman for the Salt Lake County Health Department, said there are 14 cases of pertussis at the K-12 school that are either confirmed or being investigated.

Students at the Murray school were already scheduled to be on spring break next week, according to its website.

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a sickness accompanied by severe coughing in addition to common cold symptoms. It can last for several weeks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccines that can prevent the illness.

About 11 percent of students at the school, which enrolls a significant number of pupils from other countries, are exempted from having to receive Utah immunizations, Rupp said. He said 30 students without certain vaccinations will be required to stay away from the school's campus for at least 21 days as a precaution.

Additional students who are exempt from Utah immunizations may also be excluded from campus when health officials re-evaluate circumstances at the school after spring break, according to Rupp.