Whooping Cough Information Meeting Tonight

TYLER — The Northeast Texas Public Health District is partnering with Tyler ISD to host an informational meeting on pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, for parents and community members. School officials said Wednesday that three students at Andy Woods Elementary have now been diagnosed with the disease in recent days. The meeting is tonight at 6:30 at the Davidson Conference Center, 807 West Glenwood Boulevard.

Dr. Jonathan MacClements, Smith County Health Authority, and Russell Hopkins, Director of Preparedness and Disease Surveillance, will present information about how to best prevent the spread of whooping cough among children and adults. Nancy Jones, Tyler ISD Coordinator of Health Services, will also serve on the panel to provide information about the school district’s
actions to protect students.

“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.” Dr. MacClements said. NET Health encourages parents to make sure that not only their children are vaccinated, but that adults also receive their Tdap vaccination.

According to school officials, Tyler ISD is taking extra precautions, reviewing student vaccination records, and working closely with NET Health to protect the health of students. 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. For more information on pertussis, DTaP and Tdap vaccinations, you can visit the NET Health website at http://www.healthyeasttx.org or call 903-595-1350.