Southwestern Public Health says there have been 82 confirmed cases of pertussis or whooping cough in the area since the beginning of the year.
This number represents about 40 per cent of the total cases in Ontario from January 1 – February 28, 2023.
“I have two asks of our local parents,” said Dr. Ninh Tran, the region’s medical officer of health. “The first is that you make yourself familiar with the symptoms of pertussis and seek medical care if your child has these symptoms… Second, please contact your family health care provider or Southwestern Public Health to get your child’s routine vaccinations up to date. The vaccine is free, and we have openings in our clinics throughout the month of March.”
Pertussis is a deadly childhood disease that ran rampant in the 20th century. Once a vaccine was developed, cases and mortalities decreased significantly along with illnesses like polio, tetanus, and diphtheria.
Early symptoms of pertussis include a runny nose or nasal congestion, sneezing, a mild fever, and mild cough. The cough can last anywhere from two weeks to two months, according to the health unit. This symptom can worsen over time, sometimes leading to vomiting and trouble breathing.
The cough is one of the most recognizable signs of pertussis, and where the nickname for the illness stems from. After a coughing spell, patients suffering from pertussis often make a “whooping” sound as they attempt to catch their breath.
Left untreated, Southwestern Public Health warns that pertussis can lead to hospitalization, brain damage, and death in infants.
“Combine [the rise in local cases] with the number of children who are unvaccinated or under vaccinated and I am concerned in particular for the youngest members of our community,” said Tran.
An extremely contagious disease, pertussis is often introduced to communities through travel to countries with low vaccination rates. The illness spreads through droplets from the nose and mouth, circulating among those who are unvaccinated or under vaccinated.
Those interested in scheduling a vaccine clinic appointment can book their slot online.
