Whooping Cough Reported at Two Schools

This brings San Diego’s tally of Pertussis cases to 100 for the year

Two local students were recently diagnosed with whooping cough, according to the County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA).

The HHSA said these latest cases include a 15-year-old student who attends Canyon Crest Academy in the San Dieguito Union High School District and a 10-year-old who goes to Sage Canyon Elementary School in the Del Mar Union School District.

The HHSA said both students were up-to-date with vaccinations.

“Vaccinations are the best protection against this highly contagious disease,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., public health officer for the County. “Vaccinated people who contract the disease have milder symptoms than those who are not vaccinated.”

These latest reports of pertussis bring San Diego’s tally to a total of 100 cases so far for the year. Two other students were diagnosed with pertussis just last month.

According to the HHSA, pertussis usually begins with a cough and runny nose for two weeks followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits. The disease is treatable with antibiotics.

For more information about whooping cough and ongoing vaccination clinics, call the HHSA Immunization Branch at (866) 358-2966, or click here.
 

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