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Source: http://news.guelphmercury.com/News/article/474648
Whooping cough ID'd in Orangeville
Health board investigating seven cases
April 30, 2009
Vik Kirsch
Mercury Staff
ORANGEVILLE
Four cases of whooping cough have been confirmed by laboratory tests in this city east of Arthur, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health reports.
The health board is investigating a total of seven cases, three of which haven't been confirmed, an official noted Tuesday.
The seven are up from three confirmed Orangeville cases, all linked, that the health board reported in mid-April.
Whooping cough, known by the scientific name Bordetella pertussis, is a bacterium typically spread through coughing.
The three initial cases in Orangeville were in adolescent children who had been vaccinated in the past, but hadn't yet received booster shots to further bolster their immune systems for full protection, the public board reported. Those boosters are typically administered when children are 14 to 16 years of age. To stop the spread of whooping cough, those infected are advised to cover their mouths when coughing and sneezing, refrain from sharing food, drink or utensils and wash hands frequently.
The number of reported cases varies greatly in Canada, ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 a year, according to the Ontario government. Deaths are extremely rare, though: one to three annually.
Symptoms begin with runny noses and cough, public health noted. The cough gets progressively severe, with fits ending with gagging, vomiting and gasping for breath.
Parents should determine whether their children's vaccination shots are up to date. If not, public health and physicians can administer them free of charge, though vaccinations for adults are not covered by medicare.
Meanwhile, a public health board investigation continues into the area whooping cough cases.
vkirsch@guelphmercury.com
Whooping cough ID'd in Orangeville
Health board investigating seven cases
April 30, 2009
Vik Kirsch
Mercury Staff
ORANGEVILLE
Four cases of whooping cough have been confirmed by laboratory tests in this city east of Arthur, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health reports.
The health board is investigating a total of seven cases, three of which haven't been confirmed, an official noted Tuesday.
The seven are up from three confirmed Orangeville cases, all linked, that the health board reported in mid-April.
Whooping cough, known by the scientific name Bordetella pertussis, is a bacterium typically spread through coughing.
The three initial cases in Orangeville were in adolescent children who had been vaccinated in the past, but hadn't yet received booster shots to further bolster their immune systems for full protection, the public board reported. Those boosters are typically administered when children are 14 to 16 years of age. To stop the spread of whooping cough, those infected are advised to cover their mouths when coughing and sneezing, refrain from sharing food, drink or utensils and wash hands frequently.
The number of reported cases varies greatly in Canada, ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 a year, according to the Ontario government. Deaths are extremely rare, though: one to three annually.
Symptoms begin with runny noses and cough, public health noted. The cough gets progressively severe, with fits ending with gagging, vomiting and gasping for breath.
Parents should determine whether their children's vaccination shots are up to date. If not, public health and physicians can administer them free of charge, though vaccinations for adults are not covered by medicare.
Meanwhile, a public health board investigation continues into the area whooping cough cases.
vkirsch@guelphmercury.com