TYLER, TEXAS (KYTX) -- An illness claiming six lives in Texas so far this year shows up in a Tyler student. It comes just as the state health department has issued an advisory over whooping cough, or pertussis.
The case in East Texas occurred at Vista Academy of Tyler and came to administrators attention Tuesday afternoon.
Parents are now encouraged to vaccinate their kids, and mother Betsy Barry isn't taking chances.
"It just gives me peace of mind, you just never know what's out there," Barry said.
Even though she did have some initial concerns, Barry said Mika is up-to-date on her shots and that includes Whooping Cough. "I just talked to my doctor about it and she just reassured me," Barry said.
There are a thousand cases of Whooping Cough so far this year in Texas, with 6 deaths total. 5 were infants younger than 2 months old.
"Whooping Cough can be dangerous to anyone because it can cause pneumonia but usually it's more dangerous in little kids, especially newborns," Dr. Joshua Stringer, with UT Health Sciences Center, said.
Like the name suggests, the illness is marked by a persistent cough longer than 2 weeks. Adults who haven't been vaccinated may also want protection. "We want the adults to be vaccinated against it, so they aren't giving it to the little kids," Stringer said.
Children should receive 5 shots by age 6 to be fully protected from the illness. In the case of Vista Academy, they took action right away.
"The whole school was immediately and completely disinfected using the best practices recommended by the experts at the health department," Thomas Terry, Director of Communications of Responsive Education Solutions, said.
No classes were disrupted, and Terry said a letter was sent to parents notifying them of the situation.
Pertussis is treated with antibiotics and kids can go back to school after the 5th day of treatment.
