First it was the measles, now whooping cough.
Warnings are being issued about an increase in cases of the bacterial infection for which regular vaccines are available.
There has been an increase in the incidence of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, across the province. It’s highly infectious and can lead to severe complications, especially in babies under one year of age.
Whooping cough typically begins with cold-like symptoms including a runny nose, mild fever and cough. But as the infection progresses, the cough can become more severe and prolonged, often accompanied by a distinctive “whooping” sound while breathing in air.
Severe coughing fits can also persist for up to eight weeks.
Infants, especially those too young to be vaccinated, are at the highest risk of complications including pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and even death, with an average of one to three deaths a year among infants in Canada.
The provincial Department of Health says it is “crucial” for people, especially those in close contact with infants, to make sure they are up to date with immunizations to protect children from infection.
Vaccines are typically administered to children at age two, four, six and 18 months of age, before they enter school, and in Grade 9.
It’s recommended adults receive a booster dose at least 10 years after their adolescent vaccine.
The vaccine is also administered between the 27th and 32nd week of pregnancy to pass protection on to newborns.