Whooping cough outbreak in southern Alberta, Canada

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Source: http://www.prairiepost.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3384&Itemid=27

Whooping cough outbreak in southern Alberta
Written by Susan Quinlan
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Prairie Post
Southern Alberta

In a recent press release, Alberta Health Services declared the Chinook Health region is currently experiencing an outbreak of Pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, with five cases confirmed in southern Alberta as of Jan. 16. Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vanessa Maclean, said the best prevention is immunization.
?We are concerned about the increase in whooping cough in the area. Parents need to understand how important it is to make sure their children have up-to-date immunizations.?
Infants and young children are most susceptible, although in this province children are routinely vaccinated against whooping cough at two, four, six and 18 months, and again at four to six years.
Whooping cough is spread when an affected individual coughs or sneezes, discharging droplets containing the bacteria.
The symptoms of whooping cough are the same as a cold, with runny nose, mild fever or cough lasting one to two weeks, although the cough may persist for up to two months.
Coughing spells may last several minutes, occur many times a day and may be followed by gagging and vomiting. These spells are generally worse at night.
The coughing generally starts seven to 14 days after a person has been exposed to the disease and sounds like ?whoop,? although children under six months and older children and adults may not make that sound.
Alberta Health Services has asked parents to please contact their local community health site for an appointment, if their children are not immunized. As well, those who think they have whooping cough or think their children have whooping cough are asked to visit their family doctors for a prescription of antibiotics, as after five days of treatment individuals are no longer contagious.

 

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Re: Whooping cough outbreak in southern Alberta, Canada

Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hE8SIKnX9dq0WWBOn2-qQyLKUiHA

Immunization program expanded in southwestern Alta. after whooping cough outbreak

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. ? An outbreak of whooping cough in southwestern Alberta has prompted health officials to expand its vaccination program.

Alberta Health Services declared an outbreak in January when five confirmed cases of pertussis were reported.

Since then, Alberta Health Services says the numbers have increased "significantly", but didn't say what the number of cases are now.

To manage the outbreak, health officials are expanding immunization for the disease to Grade 7 and 8 students.

Typically the booster shot for pertussis is given only to Grade 9 students.

The expanded vaccination will begin next week for Grade 7 and 8 students in the communities of Pincher Creek, Fort Macleod, Picture Butte, Monarch, Enchant, Coalhurst, Coaldale, Iron Springs Vauxhall, Nobleford and Barons.

Dr. Vivien Suttorp, medical officer of health in southwestern Alberta, said children who have not been immunized were a major contributor to the extent and duration of the outbreak.

"Making sure your child is up-to-date with their immunizations is really important," Suttorp said in a news release.

"There's lots of pertussis circulating in the area and infants are at particular risk of having serious complications."

Alberta Health Services says anyone with a child under the age of seven who hasn't had all of the required immunizations should call the local health office to book an appointment as soon as possible.

Pertussis is spread from person to person by droplets from the nose and mouth. Coughing, sneezing as well as sharing things like lipstick, water bottles, cigarettes or food will spread the highly contagious disease.

If you or your child have pertussis symptoms, see your doctor and then stay home. Antibiotics given early can reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.

Symptoms start as a runny nose, mild fever or cough. This lasts one to two weeks. Within one to two weeks, the mild cough may progress into severe, frequent coughing spells lasting several minutes and happening many times a day.

The coughing, which sounds like a whoop, may be followed by gagging and vomiting and are generally worse at night. The cough may last for two months or longer.

Other problems such as pneumonia, convulsions, brain injury or even death may occur.