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POWELL RIVER, BC – Another pertussis case has been confirmed in Powell River.
Last week, Vancouver Coastal Health confirmed that two students at James Thomson Elementary School had contracted whooping cough. The couple was not vaccinated against the disease and another case was suspected.
The health authority has now confirmed that the suspect case was pertussis and that this student had not been vaccinated either.
The disease was reportedly discovered at school between December 3 and Monday, January 14.
Pertussis is also called whooping cough. It is a highly contagious bacterial disease caused by bacteria in the mouth, nose and throat of infected people.
It can spread when the sick person coughs or sneezes.
VCH stated that it could run from seven to ten days and up to 21 days to feel the symptoms, as the case may be.
Symptoms can include long coughing fits. These spells can be so severe in some cases that the person gags or throws up.
The cough can last up to two months, according to VCH. It can also be fatal for infants under one year old.
Parents are encouraged to vaccinate their children.
Public data from VCH show that the rate of pertussis vaccination in kindergarten children at James Thomson is lowest in Powell River, with a rate of 62%.
The highest is Edgehill Elementary, at a rate of 95%.
No other case of pertussis has been reported in the community.
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