October 3, 2015 - The Mariposa County Health Department has asked that we inform MCUSD families and the community that there is a confirmed case of pertussis (whooping cough) in the region.

The case involves a family who attends Sierra Foothill Charter School (SFCS) and Catheys Valley Preschool.

Please read the attached information regarding the symptoms and recommendations. 
Source: MCUSD

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Saturday, October 3, 2015

Dear Parent of Guardian,

 You are receiving this note because your child attends either the Sierra Foothill Charter School (SFCS) or Catheys Valley Preschool in Catheys Valley. Last night, the Mariposa County Health Department learned that a 19 month old child living in Merced was confirmed as having “whooping cough”. This infected child has three older siblings who attend either SFCS or Catheys Valley Preschool and who went to school as recently as yesterday (Friday, October 2). This means that your child may have been exposed to the whooping cough infectious agent (Bordetella pertussis). Whooping cough, caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, is a highly contagious disease spread by coughing or sneezing from an infected patient.

First and foremost, we want to assure you that the risk of your child coming down with whooping cough is low but not zero. We are working closely with the administrations of SFCS and Catheys Valley Preschool to protect your child (children) and minimize the risk that he/she will contract this infection. Over the next several days we will work with you to do everything possible to assure the well-being of your child (children).

Using criteria outlined by the California Department of Public Health and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we are asking you to carefully (i.e. daily) monitor all the children in your household (including children who do not attend SFCS or Catheys Valley Preschool, particularly those aged < one year of age) for the onset of cold-like symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, occasional cough). If your child (children) does develop these symptoms we urge you to bring him/her to your child’s doctor as soon as possible and tell the doctor the your child may have been exposed to whooping cough (pertussis).

For children remaining well, there are two levels of risk:

 Level One: Your child is fully immunized. In this case the risk of your child developing whooping cough is very small but not zero.

 Level Two: Your child is only partially immunized or you are not sure of your child’s vaccination status. In this case the risk of your child developing whooping cough is increased from Level One.

For children and infants who are not fully vaccinated (Level 2 above) and adults living in the same household who are not fully vaccinated or who are not sure of their own vaccination status, we recommend you take the steps to have your child become fully vaccinated as soon as possible. To facilitate this task, the Health Department will be holding an immunization clinic at SFCS on Tuesday afternoon, October 6 from 2:30 to 3:30 PM.

In closing, I want to assure you that your child’s risk is low. We will continue to work closely with you and with school authorities for the next several days. If you have any questions, please call the Health Department (209) 966- 3689.

Robert W. Ryder,
Health Officer

MD Margarita King
Public Health Nurse