With an increase in the number of pertussis (whooping cough) cases being monitored in Yorkton, the Sunrise Health Region administration is working to make the public more aware of this potentially serious bacterial infection of the respiratory system.
According to the release issued on November 9, it is the age group identified as between one and 45 years that has been affected with the most cases seen in the adolescent age group.
Pertussis is a serious bacterial infection of the respiratory (breathing) system, stated the Sunrise release. Anyone can get pertussis, but the disease is most severe in children less than one year, a period when it can be fatal. This disease is also considered severe in pregnant women in the last trimester of pregnancy as it can be passed to the newborn with the potential to cause severe complications and death.
The germ is spread very easily by infected people when they cough, sneeze or have close contact with others. Pertussis can easily spread from person to person, especially among people of the same household, school or day care.
Early symptoms of pertussis are: sneezing, runny nose, a fever and a cough. Over time, the cough gets worse, leading to severe coughing spells with a whooping sound before the next breath and often ends in vomiting. The cough can last up to two months and can make it very hard to breathe. Complications include pneumonia, seizures and encephalopathy (brain disorder). Death can occur in children, especially those below one year of age.
Young infants may not have these exact symptoms, and a parent or caregiver may not realize how sick the baby really is. Adolescents and adults may experience milder symptoms. Once a person has had pertussis, the person does not develop life-long protection and may get the disease again.
Of those identified with pertussis in Yorkton, the symptoms were mild, stated the release. However, the concern is that they may pass the infection to young infants who may have serious complications from it, including death.
Pertussis can be prevented by a vaccine given at two, four, six and 18 months of age. This is repeated once between four and six years and again in Grade 8. As a way of protecting infants, especially those below the age of six months, the vaccine is recommended to caregivers of babies up to six months of age (including day care workers) and to pregnant women who are 26 weeks pregnant or more.
Dr. Mandiangu Nsungu, the Sunrise medical health officer, urges people in the health region to take the following actions:
• If you experience a cough that lasts two weeks or more or any other symptoms suggestive of pertussis, see your physician or nurse practitioner.
• Ensure that your children’s vaccinations are up to date.
• Caregivers of young infants, including fathers, mothers and day care workers, should receive the pertussis vaccine.
• Women living, working or going to school in Yorkton who are 26 weeks pregnant or more should receive the pertussis vaccine, regardless of their prior immunization status. Once the situation comes back to normal, pertussis vaccination of pregnant women in Yorkton will be limited to those who are 26 weeks pregnant or more and have not received a dose of pertussis vaccine since turning 18 years.
• Women who do not live, work or go to school in Yorkton and who are 26 weeks pregnant or more, should receive the pertussis vaccine only if they have not received it since turning 18 years.
The adult pertussis vaccine is combined with tetanus and diphtheria vaccines in what is called the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) vaccine, the release said.
Immunizations can be arranged by contacting the local public health office.
