Pertussis (Whooping Cough) outbreak declared in Preeceville area
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is advising residents of the Preeceville area that an outbreak of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, has been declared in the Preeceville area.
Pertussis is a serious and highly contagious infection of the lungs and throat caused by Bordetella Pertussis bacteria. Anyone can get pertussis, but the disease is most severe in children less than one year, where it can be fatal.
Young children who have not been immunized get sicker than older children and adults. This disease can also be severe in pregnant women during the last trimester of pregnancy. During that time, it can be passed to the newborn with the potential to cause severe complications, including infant death.
Symptoms of early stage pertussis are common cold-like symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, mild fever, and a mild cough. As the illness develops, the cough gets worse leading to severe coughing spells that often end with a “whooping” sound before the next breath, especially in young children. Teenagers and adults may not make the whooping sound. The cough can last one to two months and occurs more often at night. The illness also produces mucus which is expelled through coughing. Mucus makes it difficult to take a breath, preventing enough oxygen from getting to the brain. Contracting pertussis does not produce life-long protection so sick individuals may contract the disease again.
If you or your child experience these symptoms, please see your family physician or nurse practitioner as soon as possible.
Early diagnosis and treatment is important to stop the spread of the pertussis. A person with pertussis who does not get treatment can spread the germ to others for up to three weeks after the cough starts. The pertussis bacteria is spread very easily by infected people when they cough, sneeze or have close contact with others, and can easily spread among people of the same household, school or daycare. Saskatchewan had three pertussis-related deaths between 2010 and 2015.
“The risk of serious illness can be reduced with vaccination. It is important to ensure that you and your children are up-to-date on your vaccinations,” said Medical Health Officer Dr. Ashok Chhetri. “Please consult your local Public Health Nurse for more information on how to protect your family from pertussis”
Pertussis can be prevented by a vaccine given in childhood and in grade eight. As a way of protecting infants, especially those below the age of six months, the vaccine is provided to caregivers of infants, if they have not previously received the vaccine as an adult. The vaccine is also recommended for pregnant women in each pregnancy. Receiving the TdaP (Tetanus, Diptheria, acellular Pertussis) vaccine between 27-32 weeks gestation will provide passive, temporary protection to the infant. Other adults can receive one dose of this vaccine (in their lifetime) when they get their next tetanus booster (recommended every 10 years).