Whooping cough cases prompt letters from Northern Health to Fort St. John schools

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A case of whooping cough was detected at Bert Bowes Middle School, prompting a letter from Northern Health to go out to students and families on Wednesday.

Eryn Collins, with Northern Health, says the letters are standard protocol when a case of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is identified, mainly when it’s a group gathering, like a school.

Similar letters went to families of students at Dr. Kearney Middle School and North Peace Secondary School early in December.

Collins says whooping cough circulates each year, typically at low levels, adding that some cases are possibly not diagnosed because the symptoms can be similar to other respiratory illnesses.

“So when there is a case identified, we want to let people know that it’s been in an environment that they’ve also potentially been in so that they can take precautions and monitor themselves,” Collins said.

Northern Health wants to spread awareness because the disease can easily circulate.

“It really is a reminder for people to monitor themselves and their children for symptoms and to make sure that everyone’s vaccinations are up to date,” Collins said.

“It’s also something that reiterates the importance of staying home when you’re sick, not being near other people who are potentially vulnerable to any type of infection and particularly respiratory illness.”

She says it’s an excellent opportunity to remind everyone to ensure their vaccinations are up to date.

“Usually pertussis vaccinations are provided in infancy, and then again at kindergarten age and again in grade nine,” Collins said.

Though the vaccine isn’t 100 per cent effective, she says it reduces the risk by a significant amount.

In the letter to students and families of Bert Bowes, Northern Health said whooping cough is a very contagious disease of the lungs and throat, and once exposed, it can take seven to ten days for symptoms to develop.

Early symptoms are similar to those of a cold, such as sneezing, runny nose, fever and a mild cough.

Over the next week or two, the cough will worsen, leading to longer coughing spells that end with a “whoop or crowing sound” when the person breathes in.

Northern Health said the cough may be so bad the infected person may gag or throw up, and sometimes a thick, clear mucous is spat out. The cough lasts up to two months, worsening at night.

Northern Health’s letter said a person with early symptoms should get tested and treated as soon as possible so the disease does not continue to spread.

A person who has whooping cough and does not get treated can spread germs to others for up to three weeks after the coughing starts, according to the health authority.

The full letter sent to students and parents of Bert Bowes Middle School can be viewed below: