The Department of Health is monitoring a spike in whooping cough cases in the province—with 230 confirmed cases so far this year.
Whooping cough is a contagious respiratory infection that can lead to severe complications especially in infants and other vulnerable populations.
Symptoms start out with a runny nose, mild fever and cough, before developing into periods of severe, prolonged coughing. It’s usually identified by a distinctive whooping sound as the affected person tries to catch their breath.
Pregnant people and those in close contact with babies are encouraged to be aware of the symptoms and to ensure that vaccinations are up-to-date.
Vaccinations for whooping cough, or pertussis, are offered to all children at the ages of two, four, six and 18 months of age, all children between the ages of four and six years, all children in Grade 9, pregnant women who are between the 27th and 32nd week of gestation, and adults at least 10 years after their last school-age dose.
Booster doses are being given to students in Grade 9 and are now being offered to Grade 8 students as well.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fizgerald is providing an update to reporters on the whooping cough situation in the province this afternoon at 1:00. VOCM News will be there.