Eastbayri.com

BARRINGTON — The number of people recently diagnosed with whooping cough in Barrington rose to 21 this week.

On Wednesday, Jan. 18, a health department official said there were 18 confirmed cases of whooping cough — also known as pertussis — in the local public schools, and three cases that did not involve public school students. That’s a jump from the 16 confirmed cases that were reported on Monday, Jan. 16.

“We usually get between 40 and 60 cases of whooping cough in Rhode Island each year,” said Dr. Bob Marshall, the assistant director of health for the state.

A local pediatrician first contacted the Rhode Island Department of Health on Dec. 22 after diagnosing a local child with the illness, although another doctor in town said the first case was actually recognized by a school nurse prior to Thanksgiving.

By Jan. 9, a total of eight students at Barrington Middle School and Hampden Meadows had been diagnosed with whooping cough and state officials said they were anticipating even more cases in the near future. On Wednesday, Jan. 11, officials said a female student at the high school had been diagnosed with whooping cough, and a few days later the health department issued a press release stating that there were 16 confirmed cases in town.

In an effort to stem the spread of the highly-contagious disease, officials from the health department worked with Barrington school administrators to hold two whooping cough vaccination clinics at the high school on Jan. 12 and 13.

Dr. Marshall said nearly 1,000 Barrington residents attended the clinics: “It’s been an excellent response by the community,” Dr. Marshall said. “We’re not seeing any rapid increase (in the cases).”

According to a health department press release, the number of confirmed cases in Rhode Island is consistent with outbreaks occurring nationally and regionally in Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts.

The health department is reportedly continuing to work with Barrington school officials to assess student immunization coverage rates and identify students with symptoms who require treatment and close contacts at home who may need antibiotics to prevent infection (prophylaxis).

“Vaccination is the best prevention against pertussis,” said Director of Health Michael Fine, MD. “We are continuing to work with the healthcare providers and Barrington community to prevent the further spread of pertussis.

“In general, a pertussis outbreak will slow down and eventually stop once immunity, either through vaccination or infection, has been established in the community. Our work focuses on increasing vaccination rates, particularly in adults and adolescents, and preventing transmission to vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women, infants, and those with weakened immune systems.”

Pertussis is a vaccine-preventable disease caused by a bacterial infection of the lungs. People with suspected or confirmed diagnosis of pertussis should stay out of work, school, or childcare until they have been on antibiotics for at least five days.

Anyone who was unable to get vaccinated at the clinic and needs to be vaccinated should contact his or her healthcare provider.

For more information about pertussis visit www.health.ri.gov.