Concern continues about contagions in local classrooms, this time whooping cough at North Sashabaw Elementary.
According to a letter sent to parents last week, a staff member and student were diagnosed with pertussis, whooping cough.
The staff member and student are family members, said Anita Banach, director of communications, Clarkston Community Schools.
‘The biggest thing you want to remember here is most kids are immunized against this, so it’s actually more of an adult issue than a child issue,? Banach said.
According to Oakland County Health Department, pertussis is an airborne illness, spread when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or speaks and another person breathes in droplets from the infected persons nose, throat, or mouth. Symptoms begin 7-10 days after exposure.
‘When it’s an airborne illness and they were diagnosed over the weekend, it doesn’t last in the building without people being there,? said Banach. ‘We sent a letter home, just so people know what symptoms to look for.?
Symptoms include cough lasting 1-2 months, characterized by a high-pitched ‘whoops,? clear mucous produced by the cough, and vomiting after coughing, according to the county health department.
The district uses cleaning products approved by the health department to kill all bacteria and germs, she said.
‘This is a case where it’s something a little unusual and we just like to make parents aware, just so that if their children or someone in their family have any symptoms, they can say ‘hey, I think I read something about that,?? she said.
‘Our normal cleaning procedures are in place. Whenever we know there is an illness in the building or a certain classroom, the custodian staff is notified and they do a thorough cleaning of surfaces, but that’s part of our normal procedures as well.?
For more information, call 248-858-1280 or check www.oakgov.com/health.