Child Care Centers Protecting Against Whooping Cough
By: Brian Kushida
Updated: December 16, 2010
Health officials in Texarkana continue to investigate what's been described as an "unusual" level of cases of pertussis, or "whooping cough," in both Bowie and Miller Counties.
26 unconfirmed cases have been reported in Bowie County in the past month as of Monday, and more than 20 cases have been reported in Miller County in recent months.
Since then, health officials say a new case has popped up in Bowie County.
It's prompting schools and other organizations to take extra precautions.
It's nap time for the children at Hopscotch Learning Academy. But for workers, rest is for the unprepared.
As the threat of whooping cough looms in the Texarkana-area, child care centers are taking steps to prevent the spread of the bacterial infection.
"It could probably wipe out our whole enrollment if it got going," Director Nancy Parker said.
Parker says Hopscotch has had zero cases of pertusis among their 130 children enrolled, and she wants it to stay that way. Workers are making sure to sanitize toys and surfaces several times a day.
"The employees wash their hands before and after they come into contact with a child," Parker said.
It's something mother Priscilla Burnett is thankful for -- she doesnt want her daughter Rebecca or her son to catch it.
"Rebecca, we've got to keep her healthy because she comes home with him and they chew on the same toys and drink from the same cup sometimes," Burnett said.
Beverly Coleman with the Texarkana-Bowie County Family Health Department says the infant population is its biggest concern right now, but adults need to self-monitor their own health too.
"They need to be aware of an unpredictable cough, an unusual cough with no explanation," Coleman said.
And know to take steps before its too late.
Coleman credits doctors in the Texarkana-area from keeping the whooping cough from becoming more wide-spread.
Bowie County residents can call the Texarkana-Bowie County Family Health Center for more information on vaccinations: 903-798-3266
