For the second time in the month of April, the Antioch Unified School District has issued a warning that students may have been exposed to whooping cough.

The following message was sent out today to parents of Deer Valley High School students:

This is the Antioch School District with an important message from Deer Valley High School.  Students at Deer Valley High School may have been exposed to whooping cough at school. Today, the District confirmed with  Contra Costa Health Services that a Deer Valley High School student tested positive for pertussis, commonly referred to as Whooping Cough.

Therefore, we are asking that you contact your child’s health care provider if your student has sudden bursts of uncontrolled coughing that gets progressively worse or choking/vomiting following a coughing episode within the next 7 to 14 days.  For more information, please visit the District’s website at www.antioch.k12.ca.us.

On April 1, the Antioch Unified School District issued a warning for both Antioch High School and Deer Valley High School.  On March 19, Freedom High School in Oakley issued a similar alert warning parents their children may have been exposed to whooping cough.

The County has stated that in 2015, there have been more than 80-cases reported this year.

Last April, the County issued an alert saying that a total of 20 cases of pertussis disease have been reported. There were no deaths at the time of the release, however, the ages ranged from 19-days old to 49-years old with the median age of 8-years old. Of the 20 cases, six cases were less than 2-years-old and 4 of the cases were hospitalized.

Information from Contra Costa County Health Services:

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

People of all ages can become ill with pertussis and some can become very sick. Children younger than 6 months of age are the most vulnerable to serious illness and even hospitalization if they develop pertussis. The most effective prevention against pertussis is vaccination. Vaccination of household members and other close family and friends helps protect infants. Pregnant women should receive a Tdap, the pertussis booster vaccine, during each pregnancy to help decrease the chances of the baby being exposed to pertussis. Babies and young infants are further protected when both parents, caregivers, siblings and healthcare workers stay up to date on pertussis vaccinations. California schools require that all students entering 7th grade provide proof of receiving Tdap.

Pertussis begins with the symptoms of a cough and runny nose for 1-2 weeks followed by weeks of coughing fits. Fever is not usually seen unlike most other respiratory illnesses. People with symptoms should see their health care provider for testing, diagnosis and potential treatment.

For more information: http://cchealth.org/pertussis/