SASKATOON – Saskatoon Health Region (SHR) officials say we could have an epidemic on our hands. Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is on the rise.
“I think for parents who have experienced this, they are so frightened because your child is literally blue in the face,” said Dr. Johnmark Opondo, Saskatoon’s deputy medical health officer.
Pertussis is only found in humans and is spread from person to person. It is a highly contagious disease caused by bacteria that can make if difficult to breathe at any age.
“You can cough in spasms that can cause fractures,” said Opondo.
“Its been known to cause people to even black out because you cough so much and you just don’t have time to breathe in.”
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Pertussis can be fatal and is particularly dangerous for children under the age of one. Newborns are the most vulnerable since immunizations don’t start until two months of age, followed by a series of vaccinations at four, six and 18 months as well as one at preschool age.
Now, health officials are warning parents and those who interact with children of the dangers as numbers in the region climb.
“Our big concern if there’s exposure of children and children congregating in schools, this could spark off a serious situation,” added Opondo.
According to health officials, pertussis comes in cyclical phases and the last big spike was in 2010 with 75 total cases in the SHR.
So far in 2015, there have been 20 cases in the region compared to 10 cases all of last year. Three-fourths of the identified cases have been adults.
“We’re finding cases, we’re making sure that they get treatment if they are active cases,” said Opondo.
“If there are susceptible adults who are around the cases who haven’t had their adult booster and they’re not ill we are offering the vaccine as part of disease control.”
“If you have had your tetanus booster in the last 10 years and your due, you should ask your public health provider to give you a tetanus dose of formulation that contains the pertussis booster so that you’re protected against pertussis as well.”
While the numbers from the province are still preliminary the ministry of health confirmed Friday that by the end of July, there were 47 cases of pertussis reported.
Between 2000-09 there were 3,210 confirmed cases of pertussis in the province. There were 234 cases in 2010 and less than half of that in the three years that followed.
In 2003, the province introduced the booster to adolescents and adults, a shot you’ll want to look into getting soon since pertussis initially presents as a common cold and adults are often the ones that spread it to children.
“Make an appointment or have a relationship with your local public health clinic and they would tell you or keep you informed as to when your due for your adult boost.”
For more information on immunization or advice on prevention, symptoms and treatment, call the HealthLine at 811.
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