Shelby County IN: Whooping cough cases

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.shelbynews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=93&ArticleID=58477&TM=61821.31

11/26/2008 5:00:00 PM
Beware of whooping cough
Ten cases reported in county; officials advise seeing a doctor if symptoms develop

Lisa Jacques
Staff writer

The Shelby County Health Department on Tuesday reported 10 confirmed cases of the childhood disease pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

As of Tuesday, six of those cases were confirmed within the Shelbyville Central Schools system, and two were confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic School. The four remaining county public elementary schools reported none.

SCHD public health nurse Cecilia Ortiz issued one piece of advice to parents who suspect their children show symptoms of whooping cough: See a doctor.

Visiting a physician is the first step in determining whether a child's illness is a case of whooping cough and receiving treatment.

"They will also provide prophylactic medication for family members, for household contacts of a child who has a diagnosed case," Ortiz said.

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control, whooping cough is a "highly communicable, vaccine-preventable disease that lasts for many weeks" with the symptoms of "paroxysmal spasms of severe coughing, whooping and posttussive vomiting."

A "whooping" sound might occur when a patient takes a breath after a cough.

Transmission of the bacteria occurs through direct contact with respiratory discharges of infected persons.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Shelby County IN: Whooping cough cases

Source: http://www.shelbynews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=93&ArticleID=58794&TM=62797.47

2/19/2008 5:00:00 PM Email this article ? Print this article
Whooping cough cases rise
But flu cases are minimal, say health officials

Lisa Jacques
Staff writer

The number of confirmed cases of the childhood disease pertussis, also known as whooping cough, in Shelby County has doubled since the end of November, health officials reported Thursday.

"It's always a concern when the number of cases increases," Cecilia Ortiz, Shelby County Health Department public nurse, said. "But if you consider the number of children in the schools, this number is not something to be alarmed about. ... I'm hoping over the Christmas break, it will begin to lag some."

She said schools have done a good job of keeping parents informed.

"I think the schools and parents are well informed in case of their kids getting sick," Ortiz said.

On Nov. 25, the health department reported 10 confirmed cases of pertussis in the county. Now, there are about 20 in the county.

On Thursday, Shelbyville Central Schools reported 10 confirmed cases among its students, up from six in November; however, the pace of the spread of the illness had slowed.

"It's pretty well settled down here in Shelbyville Central," said Michelle Herbert, health services director.

Statewide, 100 cases had been confirmed through Dec. 1 - in contrast to 68 cases in all of 2007. State health officials have not considered the rash of cases this year to be an outbreak; by comparison, 280 cases were confirmed in 2006.