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October 10, 2001

“More Cases of Whooping Cough Being Investigated” Associated Press (www.ap.org) (10/10/01)

At Murfreesboro High School in Murfreesboro, Ark., 50 students have been diagnosed with whooping cough and 100 more people have been treated for symptoms.  Classes at the school will resume on Wednesday, after being closed for two days to limit the amount of contact students have with each other to further control the infection’s spread.  Screening of students for the illness by health care workers continues, with possible cases referred to the child’s doctor for treatment, which last about five days, according to Arkansas Health Department chief epidemiology officer Talmage Holmes.  The pertussis vaccine lasts only five years and cannot be received after the age of seven, which leaves many patients susceptible to the disease, explained Holmes.

“Central Virginia Has Cases of Whooping Cough” Associated Press (www.ap.org) (10/09/01)

Officials in Central Virginia sent home 400 Orange County High School students and several staff members after two whooping cough cases were reported in the county, including in one student at the high school.  Two cases were also reported in Albemarle County, which caused one high school student and one elementary school student to be sent home.  Seventy-five students and administrators in Madison County were sent home after three whooping cough cases were reported there.  All school systems will hold classes starting Wednesday, officials said.  The illness, which is characterized by heavy coughing followed by a “whoop” and is spread through respiratory droplets, can be deadly for infants.

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.