The Interior Health Authority (IHA) has seen an increase in whooping cough (or pertussis) cases across the region and is reminding parents to ensure their children’s immunizations are up to date.
According to IHA, the majority of the cases are in the central Okanagan.
Of the 58 cases so far this year in the Interior Health region, 36 have been in the Okanagan.
“Infants under one year of age are most at risk for serious complications from pertussis,” says Dr. Kamran Golmohammadi, Medical Health Officer with Interior Health.
Golmohammadi says whooping cough starts with similar symptoms to a common cold such as a runny nose, sore throat and mild fever before progressing to a cough.
“The cough can become severe, with or without a classic whooping sound and may be accompanied by gasping, gagging, shortness of breathing and vomiting. In serious cases it can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage or even death.”
Golmohammadi says the best way to prevent the spread of the disease is through immunization.
“We are strongly advising all parents to ensure their children are immunized so they are not at risk,” says Golmohammadi. “The pertussis vaccine is very safe and effective in preventing the spread of this disease.”
The whooping cough vaccine is part of the routine childhood vaccinations that are given at two months, four months, six months, and 18 months old, and again at age four to six years (before Kindergarten). A vaccine is also given to teens at 14 to 16 years of age (Grade 9) in British Columbia.
Parents are encouraged to check their child’s immunization record and make sure they are up to date. Click here for information about accessing immunization records.
IHA recommends any adults who haven’t been immunized for the whooping cough should contact their local pharmacy about getting the vaccine.
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