Community
Health Services Issues Whooping Cough Immunisation Reminder
Parents and guardians are asked to ensurethat their children have received four doses of the DTP immunisation,in light of a whooping cough outbreak in Guyana, French Guyanaand Suriname.
This combined immunisation for diphtheria,tetanus and pertussis is particularly important for children youngerthan six years, according to the Cayman Islands Health ServicesDepartment, which recently received an advisory from the CaribbeanEpidemiology Centre (CAREC) concerning the whooping cough outbreak.
The outbreak's scope in the three affectedis not yet available. However, the CAREC has alerted all countriesin the Caribbean to initiate rapid vaccination activities.
Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kiran Kumarhas noted that the last reported case of whooping cough in theCayman Islands was in 1999.
Dr. Kumar emphasised that while there hasbeen no reported cases on the Islands in the last two years wecannot be complacent even though our immunisation coverage hasbeen very good ranging from 92 to 98%.
Parents/guardians may contact their doctoror the District Health Centres to check whether their child/children'simmunisation is up to date.
George Town Health Centre 244-2648
West Bay Health Centre 949-3439
Eastern Districts 947-2299
Faith Hospital, Cayman Brac 948-2242
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough is a bacterial disease, involvingthe respiratory tract (chest, lungs, throat and nose). Whoopingcough can occur at any age, but is more common in young children.
What are the symptoms of whooping cough?
· Begins with mild, cold-like symptomsaffecting the chest, throat and nose.
· The initial irritating cough progressesto repeated, violent coughs within 1-2 weeks. This can last 1-2months.
· These coughs are followed by ahigh pitched whoop hence the name whooping cough
· There is usually no fever, or veryslight.
How do people catch whooping cough?
This infection is passed on from one personto another through coughs and sneezes. Usually symptoms develop1-2 weeks after being in contact with an infected person.
How can children be protected against whoopingcough?
Immunisation with DTP (Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) protectschildren from whooping cough.