School district reports two cases of whooping cough

PINE PLAINS — In between the allergies and the early summer colds, the Pine Plains Central School District recently announced two cases of pertussis, or whooping cough.

The cases were reported in Pine Plains earlier this month with one case at Seymour Smith Intermediate Learning Center and the other at Stissing Mountain Junior/Senior High School. After reporting the cases to the Dutchess County Department of Health, the administration sent a letter to parents and guardians to keep them informed.

“We are informing you of this potential exposure so that if your child has developed a persistent cough, especially if they have difficulty catching their breath or vomit directly after a coughing fit, you should have them evaluated by their pediatrician,” Pine Plains Superintendent of Schools Martin Handler wrote.

According to the New York State Department of Health, pertussis is defined as a serious lung infection caused by bacteria that can cause coughing fits. Classified as a highly contagious infection, symptoms usually appear about seven to 10 days following exposure, although they can also appear from four to 21 days after a person is infected. 

Symptoms appear in three separate stages with the first stage lasting one to two weeks and featuring symptoms such as a runny nose, a mild occasional cough, sneezing and a low-grade fever. The second stage can last one to two months with a more severe cough and coughing fits that can be followed with a high-pitched whoop, which refers to the sound a person makes when they’re trying to catch their breath. During this stage, the person might turn blue, have difficulty catching their breath or vomit. The final stage can last weeks to months with the return of coughing fits if the person contracts another respiratory illness.

The Department of Health reported that an individual with whooping cough can pass it to others as soon as they contract cold-like symptoms; they can also pass the infection up to three weeks after they start coughing. Furthermore, complications related to whooping cough are reportedly more common in infants and children and may include a variety of severe outcomes such as pneumonia, seizures, altered brain function, dehydration and even death.

In terms of treatment, antibiotics — such as azithromycin, erythromycin and clarithromycin — are frequently prescribed. If taken in time, the illness typically doesn’t spread after five full days of treatment. 

However, the Department of Health recommended that the best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated. Infants and children are advised to get the recommended pertussis vaccine, DTaP, to protect against whooping cough as well as diphtheria and tetanus. Children ages 7 to 10 who are not fully immunized with DTaP are advised to get a Tdap vaccine to protect themselves against the same three diseases while children ages 11 and 12 are advised to get a booster dose of Tdap. All adults ages 19 and older are advised to get a booster shot if they haven’t received a Tdap vaccine.

Since the letter was issued on Monday, June 10, Pine Plains Superintendent of Schools Martin Handler said there have been no new cases in the school district. Following the recommended five-day incubation period, he said the students will return to school.

A copy of the letter can be found at www.ppcsd.org.