Local High School Student Diagnosed with Pertussis

This case brings the tally to 138 reports of whooping cough in San Diego so far this year

A 17-year-old student at Chula Vista High School has been diagnosed with pertussis, the County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) announced Thursday.

According to the HHSA, the student was up-to-date with the pertussis vaccine. The Agency is now working with Chula Vista High School officials to notify students, parents and school staff who may have been exposed to whooping cough.

A typical case of pertussis includes a cough and runny nose for one to two weeks, followed by weeks or months of rapid coughing that, at times, ends with a whooping sound. The disease can be treated with antibiotics.

To date, 138 whooping cough cases have been reported in San Diego County. That number has decreased significantly from last year, when 400 pertussis cases were reported locally.

Health officials say vaccination is the best protection against whooping cough.

For information about pertussis and ongoing vaccination clinics, call the HHSA Immunization Branch at (866) 358-2966 or visit this website.
 

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