Whooping Cough Case at Duchess Park

PRINCE GEORGE – Parents of students at Duchess Park Secondary are getting letters home from Northern Health today about whooping cough.

A student at the school has been diagnosed with pertussis and as a precaution letters about the illness are being distributed.

‘It’s quite a mild disease for teenagers for adults,  but it is treatable and we can prevent transmission to people who are a higher risk so when it does appear we just send that notification so people are aware,’  said Medical Health Officer Dr. Andrew Gray.

Whooping cough is very contagious and treatable with antibiotics with best results if caught early.  Many children are vaccinated against it as babies,  and Northern Health is urging parents to make sure their teens’ vaccinations are up to date.