GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Grand Rapids Christian Schools decided to cancel its Thursday and Friday night freshman, JV and varsity basketball games against Holland Christian because of an outbreak of whooping cough.
Grand Rapids Christian said that Holland Christian has six confirmed cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough. Three of those cases are freshman and JV basketball players from Holland Christian.
The district said that after consulting with the superintendent, the principal and health professionals, they decided to cancel the games "in the interests of the health of our students and fans."
It was Grand Rapids Christian's decision to cancel the games, and Holland Christian issued this statement about it: "Holland Christian has confirmed cases of pertussis (whooping cough) and is following all Allegan County Health Department direction. Despite being cleared to play, Grand Rapids Christian has chosen not to play basketball, so we agreed to cancel the games."
Whooping cough is highly contagious, but vaccinations have made it a rare disease. The bacteria is spread through coughing and sneezing.
Holland Christian sent a letter to parents on Tuesday, Dec. 11. In the letter, the administration advises parents to check their children's immunization records.
"Children who haven't completed a full course of pertussis vaccinations may be excluded from school if the disease is known to be present," the letter reads. Holland Christian told parents that if their children show any symptoms of whooping cough—sneezing, running nose, mild dry cough and a low-grade fever—they should not go to school.
Pertussis has an incubation period of between seven to 10 days, but in some cases it can take up to three weeks for symptoms to present themselves.
The vaccination for pertussis is typically given in five doses, starting when children are two months old.
Holland Christian said that if parents have any more questions, they should contact the Allegan County Health Department at 269-673-5411.
►More information about pertussis can be found here.
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