Disease outbreaks occur every three to five years. The last major outbreak was 1997 when the district registered 253 confirmed cases. Since then pertussis has fallen off, with only 34 cases reported in 1999 and 16 cases confirmed in 2000. But it seems to be coming back strong this year. Pertussis is present in bodily fluids and can be spread through kissing, sneezing or even sharing a can of soda.
Many cases seem to be occurring in the adolescent age group.
So far, the health district has confirmed 13 cases in the Coeur d'Alene School District alone. Since the cases began popping up, six schools have sent letters out to students and parents advising them of the situation. The district policy, established in cooperation with the health district, is to send a letter whenever a case is confirmed, said Cindy Perry, who operates the district's student health service office. So far, the district has sent letters to families of Bryan, Fernan, Skyway and Hayden Lake elementary schools and Woodland and Lakes middle schools. However, Perry said there is no evidence yet that the disease has passed from one student to another in schools that have more than one confirmed case.