Fox C-6 is the third school district in Jefferson County that has had students diagnosed with pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, since October.
The Jefferson County Health Department confirmed that 10 students at Antonia Elementary School have tested positive for whooping cough, authorities reported.
The Fox district informed parents about the confirmed cases on Dec. 6, when school officials got the results of the tests, said JP Prezzavento, the district’s communications and instructional technology coordinator.
“We haven’t been notified of any other cases,” Prezzavento said Wednesday (Dec. 11).
The other two county school districts that had students diagnosed with whooping cough are Festus R-6 and Hillsboro R-3.
Festus R-6 had 23 confirmed cases as of Dec. 9, said Kevin Pope, the district’s coordinator of communications and special projects
At Hillsboro R-3, three students were diagnosed with whooping cough, Superintendent Jon Isaacson said Dec. 11.
Although the rates of cases at the schools are currently decreasing, those experiencing whooping cough symptoms should seek follow-up care with their health care provider, Health Department officials said Dec. 11.
“We are grateful to the districts, providers and community for their response to our awareness message,” Health Department Director Kelley Vollmar said Dec. 11. “Our school districts have been strong partners in our case-management efforts.”
Fox
The Fox district was first notified of possible cases at Antonia Elementary on Nov. 19, Prezzavento said.
No cases have been reported at any of the other Fox district schools, he said.
Tara Edmond, public health investigative nurse with the Health Department, said the agency began investigating cases in Fox on Nov. 18.
“Throughout the Health Department’s investigation of possible cases of pertussis, we stay in regular contact and receive updates from the Jefferson County Health Department,” Prezzavento said. “We are working with them to ensure the health and safety of our students.”
Edmond said the Health Department keeps an investigation open for 42 days after the first outbreak of whooping cough. The incubation period lasts 21 days, so the investigation covers two incubation periods.
Festus
Pope said 21 Festus High School students and two Festus Intermediate School students had been diagnosed with whooping cough.
As of Dec. 9, he said, 70 other students tested negative for the illness, and 24 others were treated with antibiotics without being tested for whooping cough.
Superintendent Link Luttrell first sent R-6 parents an email on Oct. 22 informing them that Jefferson County Health Department officials had notified the district that day about two confirmed cases in the district. The number of confirmed cases grew after that date.
Hillsboro
On Dec. 11, Isaacson said the last Hillsboro R-3 student diagnosed with whooping cough tested positive for the illness on Nov. 18. He said the student was treated on Nov. 21 and was eligible to return to school Nov. 27.
Hillsboro school officials were notified Nov. 8 about the district’s first two confirmed cases of whooping cough, and the district had just one more after that, Isaacson said.
Health Department
According to the Health Department, whooping cough can be a serious bacterial illness, “especially in young, unvaccinated children.”
Symptoms for the disease include a runny nose, sneezing, a mild cough and, possibly, a fever. “After one or two weeks, symptoms could include an explosive cough that can end in vomiting and/or in a high-pitched whoop. Coughing attacks most often occur at night and can remain up to three months,” the Health Department reported.
The Health Department recommends that kids who are showing signs of the illness go home, see a doctor and possibly start on medication.
A person with whooping cough is contagious from the time of the first symptoms until 21 days after a cough begins, the school district reported.
Health Department officials encourage those who believe someone in their home has been exposed to whooping cough or has had a cough for seven or more days to contact their health care providers. Lab tests can confirm the illness.
Antibiotics will reduce the contagious periods but may do little to relieve the cough, according to the Health Department information.