The city of Yorkton is currently experiencing an increase in the number of pertussis cases. So far, people from 1 to 45 years have been affected. However, most cases have been seen in adolescents.
Pertussis is a serious bacterial infection of the respiratory (breathing) system. Anyone can get pertussis, but the disease is most severe in children less than one year 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 daycare.
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 2 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 their baby really is. Adolescents and adults may experience milder symptoms. Once a person has had pertussis, they do not develop life-long protection and may get the disease again.
Most people in Yorkton have experienced mild symptoms. 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 2, 4, 6, and 18 months of age. This is repeated once between 4 and 6 years and again in grade 8. As a way of protecting infants, especially those below the age of 6 months, the vaccine is recommended to caregivers of babies up to 6 months of age (including daycare workers) and to pregnant women who are 26 weeks pregnant or more.
Medical Health Officer, Dr. Mandiangu Nsungu urges people in Sunrise Health Region to take the following actions:
- If you experience a cough that lasts 2 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 daycare workers, should receive the pertussis vaccine.
Please note that the adult pertussis vaccine is combined with tetanus and diphtheria vaccines in what is called Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) vaccine.
Immunizations can be arranged by contacting your local public health office.
