We have been notified of a case of Whooping Cough (Pertussis) in a Junior School family.
The following information is available on the Queensland Health website.
Symptoms:
‘Whooping cough may start like a cold, with a runny nose and sneezing, and then the characteristic cough develops. These coughing bouts can be very severe and frightening, and may end with a crowing noise (the whoop). This occurs as air is drawn back into the chest, and can be followed by vomiting or gagging. In young infants, as well as older children and adults, the typical symptoms may not be present. After exposure to the bacteria, it usually takes nine to ten days to become ill.’
Control:
‘A person with whooping cough should stay away from work, school and child-care until they have had full course of antibiotics, or until 21 days after the beginning of the coughing or until the end of coughing, which ever comes first.’
‘Household contacts, who have received less than three doses of whooping cough vaccine, should be excluded from child-care centres until they have taken a full course of antibiotics or for 14 days after the last exposure to infection.’
Where there are has been household contact with whooping cough or where a child has been diagnosed as contracting it parents are advised to contact their doctor with regards to when their child may return to school.
Parents of children who have not been immunised against whooping cough should contact their doctor for advice with regards to attendance at school.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.