Two confirmed cases of pertussis ó more commonly known as whooping cough ó at Sundre High School recently prompted Alberta Health Services to take action.
"We had two students who came down with whooping cough," principal Scott Saunders told the Round Up late last week.
However, the first case was discovered late in October while the second came to light earlier this month, more than two weeks ago.
"We haven't heard anything sinceÖwe're hoping we've got it nipped in the bud," said Saunders, adding that he was not concerned about the potential for the further spread of infections.
"It's one of those things that will be monitored by Alberta Health Services."
The provincial department responsible for managing and delivering health care throughout Alberta became aware of the situation even before school staff, he said.
"They got to us before we knew about it."
In such instances, school policy is to adhere to procedures outlined by AHS, he said.
"We follow what the experts say."
As directed by the provincial health authority, the school's administration forwarded along to parents a letter prepared by AHS describing symptoms and outlining preventive and protective measures people who might have been exposed should follow, he said.
Most of the school's students have been vaccinated for whooping cough, which remains the best way to stay protected, but the immunization is not always guaranteed to work 100 per cent of the time, he said.
"Pertussis usually begins as a runny nose," reads an excerpt from the letter sent to staff and parents.
"After a few days to a week, a cough may develop. The cough gets worse and the person may cough without being able to stop to take a breath. At the end of a coughing spell, the person may vomit or gag. Sometimes there is a whoop sound after a breath is taken. Pertussis is spread by exposure to droplets from the mouth and nose of infected people and is caused by bacteria. Most people who get pertussis get sick seven to 10 days after exposure, but sometimes it can take as long as 21 days."
If contracted, treatment requires antibiotics as soon as possible after symptoms develop to reduce the symptoms as well as prevent further spread of the disease, the letter states.
"It is recommended for all adults to get a dose of pertussis vaccine (called dTap) after they turn 18, and pregnant women should receive a vaccine at 26 weeks or later during each pregnancy. Getting immunized after a pertussis exposure does not prevent it, but may give protection against future exposures."
Contact the Sundre Community Health Centre at 403-638-4063 to get immunized, and anyone with questions can also call Health Link Alberta at 811.
River Valley School was not affected by the incident.
"We have had no reported cases at River Valley," vice-principal Tanya Braybrook told the Round Up last week.
Saunders said he was pleased to see how quickly AHS worked to proactively prevent further spread of the disease by immediately addressing the issue and informing school staff, who then made sure parents were also aware.
"If something else does come along, we've got the right steps in place to help control it," he said.
