5 Additional Cases Of Pertussis Reported

Panhandle Health District reported five new pertussis cases in Kootenai County Thursday, bringing the month’s total to 20.

One adult and four children, ages 15 months to 7 years old, have tested positive for the disease, which is spread through coughing, sneezing and sharing food or eating utensils.

The latest results were confirmed late Thursday, and health officials did not have information on schools or day cares the sick children attended.

Previous cases have turned up in several Coeur area day-care centers, Coeur d’Alene Head Start, Bryan and Hayden Meadows elementary schools.

Health, school and day-care officials are investigating the cases to make sure children and adults who are in contact with those infected get antibiotics to stop the spread of the disease.

, DataTimes