Whooping Cough Epidemic Forces shutdown At Bob Jones University
Pastor Dale Morgan
Whooping Cough Epidemic Forces shutdown At Bob Jones University*
POSTED: 4:46 pm EST November 30, 2007
UPDATED: 6:01 pm EST November 30, 2007
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Bob Jones University has decided to end its fall
semester a week early after nearly 30 confirmed or suspected cases of
whooping cough were reported on the school's Greenville campus.
BJU said Friday that it will end the semester on Friday, Dec. 7, rather
than Dec. 13 as originally scheduled.
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control said that it is
working with the school to make sure all necessary precautions are being
taken to prevent the spread of the disease, also known as pertussis.
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"Because pertussis is so highly contagious, as a precautionary measure
we have altered our schedule for the end of first semester and final
exams to enable students to leave Dec. 7 rather than Dec. 13 as
originally scheduled," said a statement from University spokesman
Jonathan Pait. "We are encouraging our students to study diligently,
take into consideration their health and the health of others, and
immediately visit our health offices should they experience symptoms."
DHEC said that it knows of 29 confirmed or highly suspect cases at the
school.
The school will hold classes on Monday and Tuesday of next week, with
exams beginning on Wednesday.
According to BJU's Web site, the school has approximately 5,000 students.
Whooping cough is an infection of the respiratory system, characterized
by severe coughing spells that end in a "whooping" sound when the person
breathes in.
The first symptoms of whooping cough are similar to those of a common cold:
#
# Runny nose
# Sneezing
# Mild cough
Low-grade fever
The bacterial disease is highly contagious and can be treated with
antibiotics.
There is a vaccination against pertussis available for children 6 years
old and younger.
It is required for children attending school and daycare in South
Carolina, and DHEC says it is an effective vaccination provided the
child receives the five-shot immunization on the recommended schedule.
Doses are given when the child is 2 months old, 4 months old, 6 months
old, 15-18 months old and a final shot when the child starts elementary
school.
There is a new booster shot available for anyone more than 10 years old.
Pait said that under state public health regulations, all students are
required to have up-to-date immunizations when they are admitted to BJU.
Additonal Information
#
# Information On DHEC Immunization Regulations
Fact Sheet On Whooping Cough (Pertussis) From DHEC