Two TISD Students Now Diagnosed with Whooping Cough

TYLER — A second Tyler ISD student has been diagnosed with pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough. The student is a fifth grader at Andy Woods Elementary School, and school officials have notified parents whose students may have come in contact with this student. According to reports, another student was diagnosed earlier this month. To protect from the spread of the illness, students who are diagnosed with whooping cough must remain out of school until they complete five days of antibiotic therapy and are fever free for at least 24 hours.

“The best way to prevent Pertussis (whooping cough) among infants, children, teens, and adults is to get vaccinated. Many young children get whooping cough from adults or older brothers or sisters who don’t know they have the disease,” says Dr. Jonathan MacClements, Smith County Health Authority. The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) encourages parents to make sure that not only their children are vaccinated, but that adults also receive their Tdap vaccinations.

According to a joint statement from TISD and NET Health, Tyler ISD is taking extra precautions, reviewing student vaccination records, and working closely with the health district to protect the health of students. You can visit the NET Health website at http://www.healthyeasttx.org or call 903-595-1350 for more information on Pertussis, DTaP, and Tdap vaccinations.