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Published July 31, 2009 10:39 pm - The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday confirmed a case of whooping cough in Mercer County.
State agency confirms whooping cough case
By Monica Pryts
Herald Staff Writer
HERMITAGE ?
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday confirmed a case of whooping cough in Mercer County.
Stacy Kriedeman, the department?s spokesperson, couldn?t release any more information because of patient privacy laws, but said health officials are looking into the report of the contagious, respiratory illness.
The Herald received information Friday that the coach of a Hermitage Little League team had been notified by Department of Health that one of his players was diagnosed with whooping cough. He was instructed to notify the parents of the other players.
While Ms. Kriedeman couldn?t confirm that report, she said the next step would be for health officials to work with those in close contact with the infected person and recommend necessary treatment.
There is a vaccine for whooping cough, or pertussis, that?s part of a routine childhood vaccination that includes diphtheria and tetanus, she said. Children are also required to have the vaccine before entering kindergarten.
Adults can also receive the vaccination, Ms. Kriedeman said.
Whooping cough is most commonly spread through the air like a cold virus, so good hygiene habits are important for prevention, she said.
Symptoms are similar to having a cold, like coughing, sneezing and fever. People with pertussis can also have with a severe cough followed by a high-pitched whoop, according to the department?s Web site.
Pertussis is diagnosed through a laboratory test and are usually treated with antibiotics. Anyone who thinks they have pertussis should visit their family doctor, Ms. Kriedeman said.
The department has seen an increase in the number of pertussis cases across the state over the past few years, with 257 in 2007 and 274 confirmed cases in 2008 through Nov. 18, she said. Figures for 2009 weren?t available.
A whooping cough outbreak in November sickened 32 people at the elementary school in the West Middlesex Area School District. About 560 students, parents and staff were vaccinated to prevent spreading the illness.
For more information about whooping cough, call the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-877-724-3258 or visit their Web site at www.dsf.health.state.pa.us
Published July 31, 2009 10:39 pm - The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday confirmed a case of whooping cough in Mercer County.
State agency confirms whooping cough case
By Monica Pryts
Herald Staff Writer
HERMITAGE ?
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday confirmed a case of whooping cough in Mercer County.
Stacy Kriedeman, the department?s spokesperson, couldn?t release any more information because of patient privacy laws, but said health officials are looking into the report of the contagious, respiratory illness.
The Herald received information Friday that the coach of a Hermitage Little League team had been notified by Department of Health that one of his players was diagnosed with whooping cough. He was instructed to notify the parents of the other players.
While Ms. Kriedeman couldn?t confirm that report, she said the next step would be for health officials to work with those in close contact with the infected person and recommend necessary treatment.
There is a vaccine for whooping cough, or pertussis, that?s part of a routine childhood vaccination that includes diphtheria and tetanus, she said. Children are also required to have the vaccine before entering kindergarten.
Adults can also receive the vaccination, Ms. Kriedeman said.
Whooping cough is most commonly spread through the air like a cold virus, so good hygiene habits are important for prevention, she said.
Symptoms are similar to having a cold, like coughing, sneezing and fever. People with pertussis can also have with a severe cough followed by a high-pitched whoop, according to the department?s Web site.
Pertussis is diagnosed through a laboratory test and are usually treated with antibiotics. Anyone who thinks they have pertussis should visit their family doctor, Ms. Kriedeman said.
The department has seen an increase in the number of pertussis cases across the state over the past few years, with 257 in 2007 and 274 confirmed cases in 2008 through Nov. 18, she said. Figures for 2009 weren?t available.
A whooping cough outbreak in November sickened 32 people at the elementary school in the West Middlesex Area School District. About 560 students, parents and staff were vaccinated to prevent spreading the illness.
For more information about whooping cough, call the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-877-724-3258 or visit their Web site at www.dsf.health.state.pa.us
