Whooping cough outbreak declared in northern half of Alberta

EDMONTON — A steady increase in whooping cough (or pertussis) cases, including a few that required hospitalization, prompted Alberta Health Services to declare an outbreak in its north zone on Wednesday.

So far this year 182 cases have been confirmed in the north zone and three have required hospitalization. About half of all confirmed cases in Alberta in 2015 have been in the north zone, which encompasses all of Alberta north of Edmonton, including Jasper and Hinton in the west. It’s not known exactly where all the cases were reported.

Across the province this year, 58 cases have been confirmed in the Central Zone, 54 in Edmonton, 42 in the South Zone, and 27 in Calgary.

The highly contagious bacterial infection causes severe coughing that lasts for weeks and can lead to pneumonia, convulsions, brain damage and even death. Babies under six months are at the greatest risk for serious complications.

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Whooping cough can be treated if caught early; and can be prevented or reduced in severity through immunizations.

AHS is encouraging all people who live in the north zone to get vaccinated, but said it’s most urgent for the following high-risk residents:

• Infants and preschool-aged children who are not up-to-date on immunizations
• Caregivers and close contacts of infants, such as parents, grandparents, nannies and child care staff (e.g. daycare centres and family day homes)
• Health care workers
• Women who are at least, or greater than, 26 weeks pregnant. (AHS says immunizing women at or after 26 weeks of pregnancy is safe and increases protection for newborn infants by minimizing risk of infection in those around them and giving them antibodies transferred during pregnancy)

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Protection against whooping cough is included in Alberta’s routine childhood immunization program. It’s recommended children receive a series of doses starting at two months old; again at four, six and 18 months; at four to six years; and again in Grade 9. Albertans who haven’t received a dose since turning 18 can also get a single additional dose in adulthood.

Anyone who suspects they have whooping cough is asked to stay home and either call their family doctor or Health Link (at 811) before seeking medical care. Those infected should stay home from work, school or child care until five days of antibiotics have been completed.

An outbreak was declared in Alberta’s central zone in December 2014, after over 100 cases were reported.

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You can find out more about whooping cough here.