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Health authority confirms whooping cough at Vancouver elementary school

Click to play video: 'Confirmed cases of measles and whooping cough in B.C.'
Confirmed cases of measles and whooping cough in B.C.
WATCH: An 18th person in the province, this time from the Interior, has contracted measles. Meantime, health officials are warning about another highly contagious childhood disease. Julia Foy reports – Mar 9, 2019

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) said it’s confirmed one case of whooping cough (pertussis) at Ecole Laura Secord Elementary.

In a letter to parents, VCH said students may have been exposed between February 7 and March 7.

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Whooping cough is a contagious disease of the lungs and throat caused by bacteria in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person. It is spread when the sick person coughs or sneezes.

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Early symptoms are similar to having a cold, and include running nose, low fever and a mild cough.

The health authority also said cases of whooping cough do occur every once in a while in B.C.

Vancouver Coastal Health is urging parents to make sure vaccinations are up to date.

Island Health has confirmed two cases of whooping cough, one in Saanich at Mount Douglas Secondary School and another at the Chalk Board Theatre Program in Duncan.

WATCH: New Vancouver measles cases linked to travel (Feb. 24)

Click to play video: 'New Vancouver measles cases linked to travel'
New Vancouver measles cases linked to travel

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