Another case of whooping cough has been confirmed in the Riverhead school district.

The newest case, the third announced by the district in the current school year, was confirmed in a student at Riverhead Middle School, according to a notice posted on the district website yesterday. Other confirmed cases were in students at Riley Avenue Elementary School in January and the high school in December.

A letter from the superintendent was senthome to parents on Tuesday. 

"Whooping cough is considered to be a highly contagious bacterial infection and it is treated with antibiotics. If your child has or develops a severe uncontrolled cough, you should contact your doctor immediately," Carney wrote. 

Pertussis — the clinical name for whooping cough — begins with a dry cough or cold-like symptoms that progress to a severe, uncontrollable, violent cough lasting several weeks or months. It is spread from person to person through droplets, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Pertussis is treated and cured with antibiotics. But it remains dangerous, even fatal, to infants who have not been fully immunized, according to the CDC.

The disease was a leading cause of mortality among infants and children in the pre-vaccine era — before the late 1940s. 

After widespread vaccination against the disease began, the incidence of the disease declined to a historic low of 1,010 cases in 1976. But since the late 1980s, its incidence has been on the rise nationwide. Last year there were 27,550 cases of pertussis in the U.S., up from 16,858 pertussis cases 2009.

Suffolk County had more than 220 confirmed cases of pertussis reported in 2011, according to Suffolk County Department of Health Services spokeswoman Carol Downing.

The number of confirmed pertussis cases in the county has increased exponentially in recent years. In 2010 there were only 54 cases reported, she said. In 2009, the number stood at 75.

The trend led county health commissioner James Tomarken to issue a pertussis advisory in October. As of that date, there had been 179 confirmed pertussis cases reported in the county. 

There's been a nationwide increase in the incidence of pertussis since the 1980s, Tomarken said.

Multiple factors have likely contributed to the increase, including waning immunity from childhood pertussis vaccines, increased recognition of the disease, better diagnostic testing and increased reporting, the CDC says.

"The most effective control measure is maintaining the highest possible level of immunization in the community," according to Kathy Thompson MD, Suffolk County's director of communicable diseases.

Parents are urged to ensure that their children's immunizations are up to date.

Q&A from the Centers for Disease Control

Q: What should I do if I live in an outbreak area?

A: You can make sure you and your loved ones are up to date with recommended whooping cough vaccines. There are two types of whooping cough vaccines – DTaP for infants and children and Tdap for adolescents and adults. Getting vaccinated with Tdap is especially important for family members with and caregivers of new infants. Also, if caring for an infant, keep him or her away from anyone with cough or cold symptoms.

Vaccination recommendations:

Infants and children should receive 5 doses of the DTaP vaccine at 2, 4, and 6 months, at 15 through 18 months, and at 4 through 6 years. All 5 doses are needed for maximum protection. Children 7-10 years of age who are not fully vaccinated with DTaP should receive a dose of Tdap instead of waiting for the 11-12 year old check up.

Adolescents should receive the Tdap vaccine at their regular check-up at age 11 or 12. If teenagers (13 through 18 years) missed getting the Tdap vaccine, parents should ask the doctor about getting it for them now.

Adults who are 19 through 64 years old should get a 1-time dose of Tdap in place of the Td booster they’re recommended to receive every 10 years. No need to wait until you are due for your Td booster—the dose of Tdap can be given earlier than the 10-year mark since the last Td booster. It's a good idea for adults to talk to a healthcare provider about what's best for their specific situation.

Pregnant women should ideally receive Tdap before pregnancy. Otherwise, it is recommended that Tdap be given after delivery, before leaving the hospital or birthing center. If a pregnant woman is at increased risk for getting whooping cough, such as during a community outbreak, her doctor may consider giving Tdap during pregnancy. Although pregnancy is not a contraindication for receiving Tdap, a pregnant woman and her doctor should discuss the risks and benefits before choosing to receive Tdap during pregnancy.

Adults 65 years and older who have not previously received a dose of Tdap and have close contact with infants should receive one dose of Tdap. Other adults in this age group who have not previously received a dose of Tdap and will not have close contact with infants may receive a dose of Tdap. Receiving Tdap may be especially important during a community outbreak and/or if caring for an infant.

Health officials encourage Suffolk County residents to seek CPR training

Bohemia, NY – Emergency Medical responders from the Community Ambulance Company in Sayville received an emergency call on Friday February 24, 2012, reporting that a male was having a seizure at Nature’s Bounty, located at 90 Orville Drive, Bohemia. Emergency service providers Tom Fealey, Christopher Gonzales, Rachel Ferlin, Paul Mastronardi, Brad Marcinek, James MacDonell, Christina Kelly, and Giuseppina Amendola responded promptly to the 12:00 p.m. call.
 
Upon arrival, the ambulance crew found a 56-year-old factory floor employee who had no pulse and was not breathing.  Co-workers who saw the man falling had initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) prior to the ambulance arriving.  Community Ambulance Company personnel then continued CPR, assisted breathing and applied an automated external defibrillator (AED).  The AED immediately analyzed and the members from Community Ambulance initiated a shock.  Additionally, advanced life support intervention was administered using several lifesaving medications and a 12- lead EKG was acquired which revealed a Myocardial Infarction.
 
This team effort resulted in the patient regaining consciousness in the ambulance en route to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore.  On arrival at Southside Hospital, the patient had strong stable vital signs, being able to respond to all inquiries to emergency personnel.  The patient was admitted to the hospital where he is recuperating.
 
“We are grateful to the members of Community Ambulance Company who responded promptly to this call and the bystanders who initiated CPR to this man,” said Commissioner of Health Services James Tomarken. “It is well-established that the first three links in the chain of survival -- early bystander CPR, the early use of AEDs and early administration of advanced life support (ALS) -- significantly enhance survival percentage in cardiac arrest cases. We encourage all residents to learn CPR. It could save a life.”

Residents who are interested should call the Department of Health Services’ Division of Emergency Medical Services at 853-8315.

Source: Suffolk County Department of Health press release, Feb. 28, 2012