A whooping cough outbreak at a London school has the Middlesex London Health Unit reminding Londoners to check their child's vaccinations.
The health unit says there has been an increased number of cases of pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, in the London area. Several cases at an unnamed local school prompted the health unit to declare an outbreak there.
Officials say many of the students at the school that were diagnosed with the chronic cough were not vaccinated against the disease.
“Because pertussis can spread easily, it’s important to be vaccinated. The whooping cough vaccine is included in routine vaccinations for children and adolescents and is also recommended for adults,” says Gayane Hovhannisyan, associate medical officer of mealth with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “It’s also a good reminder for adults who will be around infants this holiday season, as these are the children who are at highest risk for complications from pertussis."
Whooping cough is a very contagious, under-reported bacterial disease. It can cause prolonged coughing that can last for months and include a high-pitched “whooping” sound. Although rare, pertussis can be fatal in infants.
The health unit advises those with a cough that lasts longer than expected or ends in a whoop or vomiting to see their healthcare provider. Pertussis is treatable with antibiotics.
