Whooping Cough is on the rise, Huron Perth Public Health is noticing. Last year there were three cases of pertussis in children. This year there have been 21 confirmed cases.
Symptoms will start 5 to 10 days after exposure. It will start as a mild cold and progress into severe coughing that can last for two weeks or longer.
The only way to prevent whooping cough is vaccination. A vaccine is given at 2,4,6 and 18 months of age. A booster is given at 4-6 and 14-16 years of age.
Delays in routine immunizations due to the COVID-19 pandemic may partly explain the increase in cases.
Pertussis spreads easily through respiratory droplets when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes, or talks, or through direct contact with objects used by that person.
Some children will make a whoop sound, gag, or vomit while coughing if they have whooping cough.
“The illness can be serious for infants younger than 12 months of age who are not vaccinated, or who have not received all doses of the pertussis vaccine,” says Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health for Huron Perth. “Young children have the highest risk for severe complications, such as hospitalization and death, if they get sick.”
Parents are encouraged to ensure their children stay up-to-date with routine immunizations.
Written By: K. Close
