Portland State University canceled its football game against South Dakota this past Saturday following a team member’s diagnosis of pertussis (whooping cough).
School officials canceled the game as a “precautionary measure.”
“The decision to cancel was made after thorough consultations between the administrations of both universities and the team physicians, prioritizing the health and safety of student-athletes and their communities,” the university said in a press release.
NEWS: Contest with Portland State Called Off Due to Illness within Viking Program.
: https://t.co/qUUZYGUvvm#GoYotes x #WeAreSouthDakota pic.twitter.com/kLMLiSrBA9
— South Dakota Football (@SDCoyotesFB) September 14, 2024
“The diagnosis for the one individual was confirmed Thursday evening, with several additional PSU players exhibiting symptoms of upper respiratory illness, though they had not yet been officially diagnosed at the time of the game. Multiple players were in close contact with the infected individual,” the press release read.
Portland State-South Dakota football game canceled over case of whooping cough https://t.co/cHOoJ2ah4P pic.twitter.com/mNeOTY22Wi
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) September 14, 2024
Per KATU:
The two schools and their team doctors discussed the situation and decided to cancel the game in the interest of the health of the student athletes.
ADVERTISEMENTPSU said no players on its team were currently seriously ill.
The game was supposed to be played at Hillsboro Stadium at 1 p.m.
Portland State-South Dakota game canceled in mysterious circumstances as ‘many players’ are struck down by whooping cough outbreak https://t.co/abiXy9FbsD pic.twitter.com/VTL3w59wrd
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) September 15, 2024
Portland State University stated:
As a precaution, all PSU players who may have been exposed to the illness have begun a five-day course of antibiotics, under the guidance of our OHSU medical professionals. These measures are expected to be completed in time for the team’s next scheduled game at Boise State on September 21. Only athletes and staff who have completed the antibiotic regimen will be eligible to travel and participate in the upcoming game.
The university also pushed vaccines in its press release.
“Vaccination against pertussis is routinely recommended for infants, children, adolescents and adults. Children should receive the DTaP vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis at 2, 4, 6 and 15 to 18 months, and again at age 4 to kindergarten age. All persons ages 10 and older should receive a single dose of Tdap. Through these measures we can all help keep our communities safe,” the press release added.
Portland State is scheduled to play at Boise State this Saturday.
After a whooping cough outbreak forced canceling their scheduled game vs South Dakota this past weekend, affected players are now on a five day course of antibiotics… https://t.co/TD519uhPEw
— FootballScoop (@FootballScoop) September 16, 2024
Per Daily Mail:
They added that no players are currently seriously ill, but team doctors from both Portland State and South Dakota decided that the best course of action was to cancel the game.
ADVERTISEMENTThe decision was made to ensure that South Dakota players don’t also contract the disease, as medics try to contain the spread.
Portland State’s next opponents Boise State have already released a statement of their own ahead of the Week 4 matchup, revealing that they are ‘monitoring the situation’.
‘We are in communication with Portland State’s administration and will remain so as we continue to monitor the situation as it pertains to next Saturday’s game. Our utmost priority and concern are for the health and safety of anyone involved.’
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