Island Health is alerting families of Carihi Secondary School students that a case of pertussis has been confirmed at the school.
Also known as whooping cough, pertussis is a contagious disease that can be dangerous for some people, particularly babies under a year of age and pregnant women in their third trimester, whose infants may be exposed following birth.
In a letter forwarded by the school to the families, Island Health shared symptoms to watch for and urged everyone to update their children’s vaccinations.
Pertussis begins with mild cold-like symptoms, but can progress to a severe cough with a whoop, which may be followed by gagging and/or vomiting.
