Missoula County Pertussis Alert / Health Policy Update

**Special health policy**

In place as of May 7^th, 2019 until May 31^st, 2019

            Due to the current Pertussis outbreak in Missoula County, Doodlebugs has adopted the following special health policy in order to help inform families and best protect the health of all of our enrolled children and their families.

As of this morning, none of our students have been diagnosed or have had direct contact with any confirmed cases in the community. However, that does not guarantee that exposure has not happened unknowingly. If your child shows any of the following symptoms over the course of the rest of the month, we ask that you monitor them closely and advise in getting screened for pertussis by a pediatrician.

Early symptoms include:

·         Runny or stuffed-up nose

·         Sneezing

·         Mild cough

·         A pause in breathing in infants (apnea)

After 1 to 2 weeks, coughing, which can be severe, starts:

·         Children and babies can develop very hard and frequent coughing fits

·         When children gasp for breath after a coughing fit, they sometimes make a “whooping” sound.

·         Coughing fits make it hard to breathe, eat, drink or sleep

·         Coughing fits happen more at night

·         Babies and young children can turn blue while coughing from lack of oxygen

·         Coughing fits can last for 10 weeks, and sometimes recur with the next respiratory illness

If any family member has been diagnosed or comes in contact with a person of a confirmed case, you are required to inform Doodlebugs immediately. Doodlebugs will inform all other families that the following MANDITORY EXCLUSION protocol will be in effect:

·         Confirmed case: excluded from premises until five days of antibiotic treatment; OR for 21 days from date symptoms began.

·         Symptomatic: excluded for displaying any of the early symptoms until they have been on antibiotics for five days; OR they obtain a pertussis test that is confirmed negative (this can take 3-5 business days); OR for 21 days from the date symptoms began.

·         In Contact: family members and students who have been in contact with a person that has been confirmed will not be excluded as long as they remain completely symptom free.

This MANDITORY EXCLUSION protocol is required per the Missoula City-County Health Department (406) 258-3896.

Once again,

Ä Currently, please monitor any early symptoms and get tested if you feel it appropriate

Ä If anyone in your household comes in contact with or test positive for Pertussis, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT TO DOODLEBUGS

Ä If the above is reported, the MANDITORY EXCLUSION protocol will go into effect and you will be notified

Thank you all for your understanding and cooperation. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Miss Kim

(406) 360-6830

Doodlebugs.mt@gmail.com