A local school has told parents that there has been a recent confirmed case of pertussis (whooping cough) at the school and that NSW Health has confimed that pertussis is prevalent in the Mullumbimby and surrounding area at the moment.
The school’s statement to parents reads, ‘Pertussis caught at school can spread to any other members at home.’
‘Coughing spreads the infection to others nearby. Pertussis can be especially dangerous for babies.
‘Pertussis starts like a cold and progresses to bouts of coughing that can last for many weeks. Older children may just have a cough that is persistent and is worse at night. The infection may also occur in fully vaccinated children.’
‘Pertussis is readily spread from an infected person to others by coughing and sneezing. If left untreated, it can be spread for up to three weeks after the start of the infected person’s cough.
The school says people who are sick with pertussis should not attend work, school or a childcare facility.
n For further advice, call the Public Health Unit 1300 066 055 or download this fact sheet.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
