Eight More Pertussis Cases Detected

Eight more cases of whooping cough were confirmed in North Idaho Wednesday, bringing the total to 172.

The last severe outbreak in North Idaho was 170 cases, and they took three months to surface. This outbreak is only three weeks old.

In Spokane, the number rose to 33, with nine new cases reported late Wednesday.

According to North Idaho school officials, 30 students in the Post Falls School District and 16 students in the Coeur d’Alene School District have come down with the infection.

The only school not affected in Post Falls was the kindergarten center, said Superintendent Dick Harris.

Harris said that fewer students are absent from school than a week ago.

The hardest hit in the Coeur d’Alene School District was Hayden Lake Elementary, where nine students fell ill.

The school did cancel some extracurricular activities to control spread of the disease. Students who have had direct contact with infected students have been treated with preventive medication.

Testing in Kootenai County will continue today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Friday from 12:30 to 5 p.m. at 1111 Ironwood Drive in Coeur d’Alene.

People who have had direct contact with an infected person and have symptoms should get tested.

Symptoms are any of the following; runny nose, watery eyes, sore throat and persistent cough.

The Spokane Regional Health District is advising parents to take children who develop a cough, fever or signs of respiratory illness to their health care provider.

, DataTimes MEMO: Cut in Spokane edition