Davis County Continues to Monitor Whooping Cough Outbreak

PRESS RELEASE
June 28, 2019

Davis County Continues to Monitor Whooping Cough Outbreak

Bloomfield, IA – The Davis County Public Health Department continues to monitor and track cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis. Pertussis is a very contagious disease caused by a bacterium. Although it can be prevented through vaccination, pertussis is one of the most commonly occurring diseases in the U.S. The disease begins like a common cold, with runny nose or congestion, and maybe a mild cough or fever. After one to two weeks, however, pertussis can evolve into a series of coughing fits that continue for weeks.

“Adults often have a milder version of pertussis, and don’t realize they are spreading the disease – this can have serious and even deadly consequences if a child who is too young to be vaccinated, or is not properly vaccinated is infected,” said Davis County Public Health Director Lynn Fellinger. “Pertussis can also result in serious consequences for adults with underlying lung conditions, like asthma. This is why pregnant women (during each pregnancy) should receive a pertussis vaccination to protect their newborn, and why teenagers and adults (especially those who are around infants) should check with their health care provider to ensure their vaccinations, including those for pertussis, are up-to-date.”

The most common symptoms of pertussis in children are fits of coughing, followed by vomiting, a ‘whooping’ sound as air is inhaled, and difficulty sleeping. In adults, however, only a lingering cough that can last months is often seen. This is why many adults do not realize they have pertussis. While treatment with antibiotics will prevent an individual from spreading the disease further after being diagnosed with pertussis, the cough may continue to last for weeks.

Davis County residents who believe they or a family member may have pertussis should contact their health care provider. Individuals who believe they may have been in contact with someone with whooping cough can contact the Davis County Public Health Department at 641-664-3629 for additional guidance.

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Beth Saner, LPN

Beth Saner, LPN Receives 2019 DAISY Award

Beth Saner, LPN has been named Davis County Hospital’s 2019 DAISY Award recipient. She was recognized along with other nurses from across Iowa at the MercyOne Central Iowa Affiliates DAISY Award Ceremony on June 14, 2019, in Des Moines.

Nominations for Davis County Hospital’s (DCH) Daisy Award were submitted by patients and their families, colleagues, managers, physicians and community members, and then DCH team members and community members voted to select the recipient.

Beth is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the Medical Associates primary care clinic at Davis County Hospital.

Beth received three different nominations from patients, as well as internal DCH team members with numerous comments praising her hard work, as well as her commitment and passion for patient care. A comment from one anonymous customer, “Beth, you make coming to DCH worth every trip. I’m coming in thinking of all the bad news you have given me, but I smile at how comfortable I am discussing it with you. Thanks for everything you do!”

“Beth is incredibly deserving of the DAISY Award,” commented Carleena Brown, Director of the Davis County Medical Associates Clinic. “She is truly dedicated to her patients and it shows through her care. We are proud to have Beth on the Davis County Medical Associates team!”

A signature program of the DAISY Foundation, the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses recognizes individual nurses throughout the year for their extraordinary, compassionate care. More than 3,600 health care facilities and nursing schools across the US and in 21 other countries participate every year.

“We saw an incredibly diverse group of nominees with strong dedication to their patients and to providing safe health care,” said MaryJane Hunt, RN, MBL, Network Nurse Executive – MercyOne Central Iowa. “These honorees demonstrate nursing skill and expertise matched by compassionate care, collegiality with peers, and a commitment to advancing their profession.”

About the DAISY Award

“The DAISY Awards were created to express gratitude to nurses around the world for their compassion,” said Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, Co-Founder and CEO of the DAISY Foundation. “This year’s honorees exemplify the professionalism and humanity that are hallmarks of outstanding nursing care.”

DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The DAISY Award was established by the DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died at 33 of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP), an auto-immune disease. The Barnes Family was awestruck by the clinical skills, caring and compassion of the nurses who cared for Barnes, so they created this international award to say thank you to nurses everywhere.

For more information about the DAISY Award and Foundation, visit www.daisyfoundation.org

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