Pertussis, or whooping cough, has been reported in the St. Paul Public School District, with at least one case confirmed as of Saturday, according to an email sent by the district to families.
In the Saturday email from Central Senior High School officials, there is a confirmed case of pertussis among students, along with suspected cases. Those in the school with a cough lasting more than seven days are encouraged to be evaluated by a health care provider, according to the email.
The district had cases of pertussis in the past and it can be treated with antibiotics, said Rebecca Schmidt, SPPS director of health and wellness. Parents are encouraged to keep their children home if they are showing symptoms and to notify their school’s health office if their child has pertussis.
Schools have been sending a letter to families when a case of pertussis is identified by a health care provider or the department of health, according to district officials. The district plans to send a message Tuesday on symptoms and guidance.
Bacterial illness
Pertussis is a bacterial illness that spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing, according to Schmidt. Infants, the elderly or those who are immunocompromised are at a higher risk of severe illness. It can be less severe in older children or adults and can be easily passed on if not recognized or treated, according to the district.
There have been eight confirmed or probable cases of pertussis in Ramsey County this year as of Jan. 16. In 2024, that number was 257. Statewide, cases increased to a decade-high of 3,217 that year. The previous highest rate since 2014 was 1,247 in 2016.
Early symptoms of pertussis are often similar to the early stages of a cold, such as a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever and mild cough. A persistent cough develops after a week or two and occurs in bursts that may end in a high-pitched whooping sound or vomiting. Children can appear well between coughing bursts and older children and adults may have a less typical cough.
Unless they have already been coughing for three or more weeks, people with pertussis should not go to school, work or other activities until they have completed five days of antibiotic treatment. A person is no longer contagious after the third week, though a cough can last up to three months.
Coughing bursts can continue for four to six weeks and are more common at night. Pertussis can result in pneumonia.
Vaccines
There are two types of vaccines to prevent pertussis, and vaccine efficacy can wear off over time so it is recommended to contact a healthcare provider if it is out of date. Those who are vaccinated can still get pertussis but generally have a milder illness.
The district has a 99% compliance rate for school-required immunizations, Schmidt said. That number includes those who conscientiously object as allowed by law. Minnesota law requires that children enrolled in child care, early education programs, or school must have received immunizations or an exemption.
Families with concerns are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider or the St. Paul-Ramsey County Public Health Department. The Minnesota Department of Health can also be contacted at (877) 676-5414.
Those wanting to access their immunization records can visit health.state.mn.us/people/immunize/miic/records.html.
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