Whooping cough continues to spike

By Gillian Slade on August 24, 2017.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com  @MHNGillianSlade

The number of people affected by an outbreak of whooping cough continues to increase in southern Alberta, including Medicine Hat, says Alberta Health Services.

A total of 305 cases of whooping cough (pertussis) have been diagnosed in the south zone, said Dr. Lena Derie-Gillespie, medical officer of health in the AHS south zone. The number of cases only in Medicine Hat were not available.

Of the 305 cases, there are 257 related to the initial outbreak that was in the western part of the south zone, in particular communities that don’t have high immunization rates, said Derie-Gillespie, who declined to name a specific community.

Medicine Hat was initially considered a “cluster” and not considered related to the outbreak.

“In the last couple weeks we are seeing outbreak cases that are occurring outside of that west zone,” said Derie-Gillespie. “We consider now the entire zone (including Medicine Hat) is part of the outbreak.”

In an outbreak, most cases are among unimmunized people particularly in children, said Derrie-Gillespie. In diagnosed cases, of those who have been immunized, there seems to be a spike in the kids about 11 and 12 years old.

“This does not mean that the 11- and 12-year-olds are most at risk to get pertussis,” she explained. “The younger unimmunized ones are still most at risk.”

This age group may be experiencing “waning benefits” from the last vaccine, she said. To address this, those between the ages of 10 and 12 can register to receive a booster dose of the vaccine.

Booster doses will be administered by appointment at clinics in Medicine Hat today, Aug. 30 and Aug. 31. These will take place at Higdon Hall on the Medicine Hat Stampede Grounds. Clinics will also take place in Brooks on Aug. 30 and 31. To make an appointment call the local community health office at 403-502-8215.

Pregnant women in their third trimester are also offered the vaccine routinely as their pregnancy progresses in order to offer some protection to newborns, who are particularly vulnerable.

Whooping cough can lead to pneumonia, convulsions, brain injury and even death. The disease starts with a runny nose, sneezing, a possible fever and a mild cough, but within a week can become more severe with coughing spells so intense they can trigger vomiting.

The symptoms can be particularly severe for younger children while older children and adults can experience milder symptoms. It can persist for one or two months.

If you get whooping cough you will be infectious for three weeks starting from the early symptoms, said Derrie-Gillespie. With symptoms that could seem like just a cold initially, there is a judgement call about the point at which you need to seek medical attention and a diagnosis.

However, take all the precautions you would to avoid spreading germs:

Hand hygiene, coughing into your arm and washing your hands regularly.

If you are not well don’t go about mixing with other people in the community, particularly around babies, said Derrie-Gillespie.

If you have a cough that is lasting a long time or symptoms that seems a little different to your normal colds, or if you know you were exposed to someone with pertussis, stay home and call your health-care provider or Health Link for instructions, said Derrie-Gillespie.

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