An east Vancouver elementary school notified parents late last week of whooping cough cases at the school.
Sifton Elementary School has reported two cases of whooping cough, or pertussis. The cases are in two children from the same family, said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer. One child was unvaccinated; the other was under-vaccinated, Melnick said.
The cases do not signal an outbreak, he said.
“Right now, we’re not experiencing more than what we generally would,” Melnick said.
Whooping cough is an illness spread through respiratory secretions such as coughing and sneezing. The illness is particularly dangerous, and potentially deadly, for infants.
The state recommends children receive five doses of the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis) vaccine at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months and 4 to 6 years.
Adolescents 11 to 18 and adults 19 to 64 should receive a tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis booster, commonly known as Tdap.
