Pertussis Update

Friday, January 27

The Saratoga County Health Department is concerned that some county children are returning to school too soon after being swabbed (tested) for pertussis.

They have asked us to remind parents that if your pediatrician swabs your child's throat for pertussis, that means he or she feels the child may have this illness. Your child MUST remain home until he or she has finished the full five days of antibiotic, and until the test results are confirmed one way or another.

This extra measure of vigilance will help us prevent the spread of this highly contagious illness.

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Press release of January 26, 2012

Second case of pertussis is confirmed at Stevens School

BURNT HILLS:   Stevens School has been informed that a second fifth grade pupil has a confirmed case of pertussis, which is also often called whooping cough. The second child was recently in close contact with the first child.

Informational letters to parents from Stevens principal Ralph Rothacker went home with students on January 24 and on January 26, and are linked below.  Although most people receive several inoculations against pertussis as a small child, there are a number of reasons why cases of pertussis continue to grow across the US.

Mr. Rothacker's letters include answers to Frequently Asked Questions about pertussis. "There is information here that will be new to some parents, for instance about booster shots for older children and adults," he says. "I urge all parents to read this and to call their physician if they have further questions. Nurse Tracey Hay and I remain in direct contact with the Saratoga County Department of Health and will continue to follow their advice." 

Mr. Rothacker is also asking parents to promote the same good hygiene rules as the school, including:

●  Teach children to cough into a tissue or into their sleeve (crook of their elbow), rather than into their hands. Then to place the used tissue promptly in the waste basket and to wash their hands.

●  Remind children & adults about proper hand washing technique, including the use of hot water & soap.

●  Keep bathrooms well supplied with soap and paper towels. Hand sanitizers can also be helpful in situations where soap and water are not available.

       See the Jan. 24 letter and FAQs here (pdf format)

       See the January 26 letter  (pdf format)

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