Tacoma Public Schools has canceled all practices and performances of the Young Ambassadors of Physical Education through Jan. 28 on the recommendation of the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Due to concern for ongoing transmission of pertussis and the need to prevent the spread of the recent outbreak to multiple schools, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is recommending that practices and performances be canceled at this time.
The 37 members of Young Ambassadors represent public and private elementary schools throughout the Tacoma area. The performers, who must have good citizenship and academic standing, showcase their jump-roping abilities and rhythmic and gymnastic skills at school assemblies, halftime of basketball games and other community events throughout the Northwest and Canada.
The cancellation involves three performances.
Pertussis, commonly referred to as whooping cough, is highly contagious and can cause serious illness, especially in young children. Vaccine, for children and adults, is available to help prevent this illness.
Since December 2010, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has received confirmation of 10 cases at Washington-Hoyt Elementary School that are believed to be linked to the outbreak.
While pertussis can be prevented by vaccination, it is highly contagious and one of the most commonly occurring vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States. People infected with the bacteria usually spread the disease by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others, who then breathe in the pertussis bacteria. Starting with cold-like symptoms, and maybe a mild cough, pertussis is often not suspected or diagnosed until a persistent cough with spasms sets in after one to two weeks of illness.
Director of Student Life Jennifer Kubista notified the families of Young Ambassadors about the decision to cancel club activities.
“We’re working to add some additional performances to the Young Ambassadors’ schedule after Jan. 28 to make up for the lost opportunity for them to showcase their skills,” Kubista said.
The Health Department in its letter to the school district Jan. 13 noted that it could recommend a longer suspension of Young Ambassadors’ activities if additional cases of pertussis show up among the participants.