Provincial whooping cough rates on the rise
By Medicine Hat News on March 9, 2024.
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews As part of their bi-monthly newsletter AHS revealed that there have been an increase in pertussis, also known as whooping cough, cases in Alberta. Cases have been identified in all AHS zones. The infection is highly infectious and while people of all ages can be affected, the illness carries a risk of serious complications for those under the age of one-year. In 2023, there were 884 cases of lab-confirmed pertussis in Alberta. 78 lab confirmed cases have already been detected in 2024 as of February 21. Parents are encouraged to keep their children’s vaccinations up to date as 86 per cent of these cases were found in unvaccinated or partially vaccinated patients. 6-5
