Blackbutt State School currently has reported cases of whooping cough.
Over the last month, more than 40 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) have been reported in the Darling Downs Health region each week. Cases have dramatically risen this year, with 1293 reported in the Darling Downs, compared to an average of 64 cases over the last four years.
Blackbutt State School sent out a letter issued by Darling Downs Health, alerting parents and staff to the confirmed case of whooping cough on Wednesday, 4 December.
“Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection,” Margaret Young, public health physician at Darling Downs Public Health unit said.
“Whooping cough bacteria are highly infectious and are spread to other people by an infected person coughing and sneezing.”
They are asking staff and students “to be vigilant and seek medical advice if they develop a cough.”
Whooping cough often starts like a cold with a runny nose, sneezing and tiredness over several days, and then the characteristic coughing bouts develop. These bouts can be very severe and frightening and may end with a crowing noise (the ‘whoop’) as air is drawn back into the chest.
As students attended school and community events, this is causing people to unknowingly spread the illness to vulnerable people in the community.
It is important for parents to get their children tested if they have an ongoing cough and if whooping cough is found, to get treated with antibiotics to reduce the risk of spreading the illness. A person with whooping cough is infectious for 21 days after the onset of a cough or five days after commencing antibiotics.
To reduce the spread the Darling Downs Public Health Unit recommends:
• Vaccination is effective in reducing the spread of pertussis in the community. Ensure all children are up to date with their immunisations and booster dose available at Year 7.
• An adult vaccine is available for staff and parents at a cost, for more information consult your doctor.
• Testing and treatment, if symptoms develop present to your local GP for testing and treatment, Antibiotics treatment can stop the spread of infection.
• After-hours Paediatric Telehealth appointments are available for Darling Downs residents at: cubcare.com.au/ddkids
• To reduce the spread of illness people diagnosed with whooping cough should not attend work, school or daycare until they complete the first 5 days of recommended antibiotics.
• If your doctor suspects you/your child may have whooping cough, it is important not to attend school until results become available.
Whooping cough is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Whooping cough can affect people of any age.
For adolescents and adults, the infection may only cause a persistent cough. However, for babies and young children, whooping cough can be life-threatening.
