Omaha Neb: Whooping cough outbreak

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Source: http://www.kfab.com/script2/print.php?page=/pages/localnews.html&article_id=4503610&feed_id=122285

Whooping Cough Outbreak
12 students at an Omaha elementary school have contracted pertussis.
Thursday, October 30, 2008

Douglas County Health Director Adi Pour says the number of cases of whooping cough is on the rise. So far this year, there have been 48 reported cases of the disease, with a quarter of them occurring at St. Robert Bellarmine Elementary.

Symptoms of pertussis include:

* Sinus congestion, runny nose, a slight sore throat and possible low-grade fever in the early stages. A cough may develop and become more severe within a week.
* A second stage involving violent coughing spells can last up to two weeks.
* A third stage can follow in which the violent coughing slowing diminishes.

Dr. Pour says efforts to control the spread of the disease at the school are underway and they advise anyone with a cough-related illness to stay home until they are evaluated by a doctor.

 

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Re: Omaha Neb: Whooping cough outbreak

Source: http://www.ketv.com/newsarchive/18551700/detail.html

Rise Of Whooping Cough Worries Health Officials
6 Cases Reported In Omaha Public Schools

POSTED: 4:45 pm CST January 23, 2009
UPDATED: 5:27 pm CST January 23, 2009

OMAHA, Neb. -- Eight cases of whooping cough have appeared in the metro area within three weeks, prompting Douglas County officials to warn parents of the disease that often affects young children.

Two cases of whooping cough, known as pertussis, at St. Margaret of Mary's school forced the school to postpone a weekend carnival.

County health officials said they have seen other cases in the metro and are warning that the disease is on the rise.

They said reports show the disease peaking in children between the ages of 9 to 11.

Immunity wears off for children who were vaccinated as infants. Officials have urged parents to get their children booster shots before middle school.

"You spread it to people you come in close contact with," said county health official Ann O'Keefe.

Omaha Public Schools officials have already reported six cases of pertussis, said spokeswoman Sharon Wade.

Wade said parent should keep children at home if they are showing symptoms, like sinus congestion, runny nose, sore throat or fever followed by loss of breath and coughing spells.

Pertussis can be fatal to infants.

O'Keefe said infants younger than two months who haven't had their round of shots yet are especially susceptible.

OPS officials said they will notify parents by letter if their child has come into contact with someone who is known to have pertussis.

 

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Re: Omaha Neb: Whooping cough outbreak

Source: http://www.action3news.com/Global/story.asp?S=9737458&nav=menu550_2

Whooping Cough Cases Rise
Posted: Jan 27, 2009 12:13 AM

Omaha, NE - Action 3 News has a medical alert for families. Whooping Cough is hitting some kids around the city.

The intense cough can make victims miserable for weeks. Already this year, doctors are treating 12 Whooping Cough cases in Douglas County. They say that number is likely a low one.

"In our area, if a dozen cases have been reported to the Health Department, you can rest assured there are many times more cases around in the community," says Dr. Archana Chatterjee with Creighton University Medical Center.

Action 3 News has learned the Whooping Cough vaccine wears off. Some teenagers and adults who were vaccinated as kids are now vulnerable to getting Whooping Cough unless they get a booster shot.