San Juan County Health and Community Service continues to investigate new cases of pertussis (whooping cough) in the county. To date, six cases have been identified in children residing on San Juan Island. None of the children have been hospitalized. San Juan County Health and Community Services is working with the families of these children to investigate the pertussis cases, as well as with the schools the children attend.
Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection and usually starts with mild cold symptoms or a cough, which turns into severe coughing spells. Infants and children can cough violently and rapidly, which can cause them to inhale with a loud “whooping” sound. If untreated, an infected person can spread pertussis for several weeks.
If you or a family member have symptoms of pertussis, stay home and away from other people and public settings until you or your family member has been evaluated by your health care provider.
With pertussis in our county, influenza (flu) reaching epidemic levels in Washington state, and mumps cases in our region, now is a good time for individuals and family members to review vaccination records and ensure all immunizations are up to date.
Washington State is currently experiencing an outbreak of mumps, pertussis (whooping cough) and influenza. There are 6 confirmed Pertussis cases on the San Juan Islands, one local unconfirmed case of the mumps and the cases of influenza are on an alarming rise. We are working close with the health department doing what we can in response to this outbreak. Our goal is to deliver a safe environment by preventing the outbreak from spreading to Orcas Island School.
Everyone can help stop these diseases from spreading. Make sure your children are up to date on their Mumps (MMR), Pertussis (Td) and influenza vaccinations. Know the signs and symptoms of the mumps and pertussis. If you suspect someone in your school has one of the communicable diseases, take them to a healthcare provider right away.
Mumps: Mumps is mostly spread via saliva from someone who is infected. The most distinctive signs of mumps is swelling of the salivary glands in one or both cheeks that start in the front of the ear and can spread down to the neck or jaw. Symptoms can also include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite. The best protection against mumps is the combination MMR vaccine
Pertussis: Whooping cough is usually spread by coughing or sneezing. If untreated, an infected person can spread it for several weeks. The disease usually starts with mild cold/cough symptoms which turn into severe coughing spells that can last for more than 10 weeks. The coughing usually increases at night time and the cough can be so violent that the air as air is pushed from the lungs a “whooping” sound can be heard as they’re forced to inhale. The extreme coughing can cause exhaustion and vomiting.
Influenza: Influenza (flu) is a virus that spreads easily through the air by coughing and sneezing, or through physical contact with contaminated surfaces such as doorknobs and countertops. Flu can cause a high fever (usually over 101 degrees Fahrenheit), cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and muscle aches.
KEY POINTS
1: Get immunized.
2: Wash your hands.
3: Cover your mouth when you cough.
4: Wash your hands again.
5: Stay home if you’re sick.
If vaccinations are not up to date, or you have questions about vaccinations or pertussis, contact your health care provider or San Juan County Health and Community Services at 360-378-4474.
Additional information and resources on pertussis may be found on the San Juan County Health and Community Services website: http://sanjuanco.com/CivicAlerts.aspx.
