Health officials recommend making sure people are up to date on their vaccinations after students and staff at Laura Secord Elementary were exposed to the highly contagious disease.
In a letter sent to parents and employees Friday, Vancouver Coastal Health says students and staff at Laura Secord Elementary may have been exposed to pertussis, also called whooping cough, between Feb. 7 and March 7.VCH says pertussis is a contagious disease of the lungs and throat caused by bacteria in the mouth, nose and throat of the infected person. It is spread when the sick person coughs or sneezes.
Early symptoms are like having a cold, according to VCH, and symptoms may include long spells of coughing that often end with a whoop or crowing sound when the person inhales. The coughing may be so bad that the person gags or vomits, and can last up to two months. It can be deadly for infants under one year old.
VCH recommends preventative antibiotics for some people who have been exposed to pertussis and have a very high risk of complications, such as babies and pregnant women int heir third trimester. Children normally have pertussis vaccinations at two, four, six and 18 months old, and at four to six years old and in Grade 9.
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