Take note if you are travelling – Whooping cough outbreak spreads across province (NB)
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**** Via New Brunswick Government
Whooping cough outbreak spreads across province (NB)
An outbreak of whooping cough (Pertussis) has been declared for the entire province. This expands an outbreak initially declared on the Acadian Peninsula at the end of June.
“We are expanding this outbreak to the entire province due to a higher number of cases of whooping cough than usual in multiple health regions,” said Dr. Yves Léger, acting chief medical officer of health. “Public Health is monitoring the situation closely and working with health-care professionals, community partners and the public to decrease the risk.”
There have been 141 cases so far this year, exceeding the five-year average of 34 cases per year. While most have been in Zone 6 (Bathurst and Acadian Pensinsula region), more than half the new cases in recent weeks are outside that region.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that can occur at any age. It is very serious in babies and young children, especially for those who are too young to be fully immunized.
“The most effective way to reduce the risk of whooping cough is vaccination,” said Léger. “All New Brunswickers, especially expectant parents and anyone in close contact with babies and young children, such as grandparents or caregivers, should ensure that their immunization against whooping cough is up to date.”
Parents are strongly encouraged to review the status of their children’s immunizations as the new school year approaches. Anyone uncertain of their vaccination status against whooping cough can check their immunization records via MyHealthNB, or contact their local public health office.
A primary care provider, like a doctor or nurse practitioner, as well as public health offices, can give whooping cough vaccines to children and adults. Pregnant people in their third trimester and adults who have not received a pertussis vaccine, and who cannot get an appointment with a primary caregiver, can book an appointment with Public Health using the provincial scheduler.
Whooping cough begins with cold-like symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever and mild cough, and worsens over a period of several weeks to include serious coughing spells that often end with a “whoop” or high-pitched sound when catching their breath. Whooping cough is easily transmitted from person to person, mainly through droplets from the nose, mouth and throat of an infected person.
Whooping cough is diagnosed based on symptoms and laboratory tests and is treated with an antibiotic. Treatment can reduce the spread of infection and duration of illness if given early.
People exhibiting symptoms of whooping cough should stay home if they are ill. They are encouraged to contact their health-care provider, call 811 or use eVisitNB online health-care services for assessment. It is also important to keep people with coughs and colds away from babies and young children.
More information about whooping cough is available online.
