New Pertussis Cases Reported
Four more cases of pertussis turned up Tuesday in Coeur d’Alene, bringing the total this month to 15.
The latest test results show that four more children have the disease, which starts with cold symptoms that progress to a persistent cough.
A Hayden Meadows Elementary School third-grader is one of latest cases. School and health officials are sending letters informing parents of the case, and parents of children in the affected third-grade classroom are advised to put their children on antibiotics.
A first-grader in Bryan Elementary School also has pertussis, and two cases in the Coeur d’Alene Head Start program have been confirmed.
“I’m hoping we won’t spread this around as much as last time,” said Jeanne Bock, Panhandle Health District’s director of family and community health, referring to last spring’s outbreak.
The health district tallied 155 cases last spring in North Idaho. In one case, an infant died. So far this year, the Panhandle has had 188 cases.
Day-care centers with confirmed cases are Learning World in Rathdrum, Wonder World, Discovery and ABCD daycares in Coeur d’Alene. Health officials are calling parents of exposed children and advising they put their children on antibiotics.
The health district will continue testing people who have been exposed to the virus or are showing symptoms today from 1 to 4 p.m. at 2195 Ironwood Court in Coeur d’Alene.
, DataTimes