Following a number of cases reported at the child care center, here are the measures issued by the cantonal doctor in order to protect all children and adults attending the childcare:

- The child care center staff inform families of any symptoms they may notice in children that require a medical visit. The assessment of symptoms and the need for testing is left to the pediatrician.

- In all cases, a medical certificate is required to authorize the return to the child care center.

- Increased surveillance for the onset of symptoms for 21 days following exclusion of a positive case;

- Screening as soon as symptoms appear and providing information to the childcare;

- Vaccination of all persons whose last dose was more than 10 years ago and of unvaccinated persons;

- Eviction from the childcare of anyone testing positive (child or staff) until the end of the contagious period (5 days after antibiotic treatment or 21 days without treatment). Any contact with infants or pregnant women in their 3rd trimester should be avoided in the meantime;

- Post-exposure chemoprophylaxis recommended for incompletely vaccinated infants under 6 months of age exposed to the positive case, as well as for non-immunized exposed staff members if the last contact with the positive case occurred less than 21 days previously (to be discussed with your family doctor);

- Chemoprophylaxis of exposed children over 6 months of age, incompletely vaccinated, could be considered (to be discussed with your family doctor).

As a reminder, whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial disease, transmitted by droplets. Newborns and infants under six months of age are the most vulnerable. In the event of infection, unprotected infants can suffer serious complications.

Symptoms include:

- Persistent cough with no signs of improvement,

- Coughing fits,

- Noisy inspiration,

- Cough with respiratory distress, cyanosis and/or bradycardia (infants).

We are continuing to work closely with the cantonal doctor and will keep you informed of developments.

The Management team remains at your disposal for any further information.