Fourth Case of Pertussis at GVHS

A new confirmed case of whooping cough at Great Valley High School brings the tally to five students in the district with the disease. Parents were notified of the latest case Wednesday in an email from superintendent Alan Lonoconus.

Four and one have been diagnosed with whooping cough, also known as pertussis. After the original case, students who had not been vaccinated against the disease not to return to school for 21 days after the last possible exposure.

In the latest dispatch to parents, the superintendent explained how students with the vaccination can still contract whooping cough.

That student is currently under a doctor’s care and will not return to school until the doctor provides a note that the student is no longer contagious. However, your child may have been exposed between January 26, 2012, and February 7, 2012. It is not unexpected that a student, who has been immunized in the past, can still contract the disease because of waning protection and exposure. Remember, Pertussis has a prolonged incubation. A patient may not show symptoms for weeks after they were exposed.

According to a state Health Department fact sheet, the disease can go undiagnosed in adults:

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a contagious disease involving the lungs and airways. It is caused by a bacterium, Bordetella pertussis, that is found in the nose, mouth, and throat of an infected person. More than 100 cases are reported each year in Pennsylvania, mostly in children. Other cases of pertussis occur but are not diagnosed, especially in adults.

Chester County Health Services offers free Pertussis vaccinations at its West Chester office:

Pertussis vaccinations  (DTaP and Tdap) are available at walk-in clinics for child and adult immunizations held weekly at the Government Services Center on the following days:

• Tuesdays        9:00am - 4:00pm
• Fridays           9:00am - 4:00pm 
• Wednesdays 11:00am - 6:00pm

Visit our Events Calendar to view all clinic dates. Walk In immunization clinics do not require an appointment unless for a flu shot. Parent or guardian must accompany child and bring along the child's shot records.

For more information, call 610-344-6252.