Number of cases of whooping cough dropping significantly

The number of lab-confirmed cases of whooping cough (pertussis) have dropped over the last 10 days, says the province’s chief health officer.

Heather Morrison said Tuesday the outbreak of the highly contagious disease may be easing off. “Remarkably, we’ve had a significant drop in the cases within the last 10 days and so I actually think, hopefully, that we may have gotten over the major part of the outbreak,’’ Morrison said, noting that the province can’t officially declare an outbreak over until they go 42 days without a new case.

The outbreak began in late February with the number of lab-confirmed cases tripling within a week.

As of April 1, there had been 52 cases (33 lab-confirmed). Those affected range between the ages of two months and 81 years.

Eight people needed to be hospitalized over that time period but all have since been discharged and there have been no deaths as a result of the outbreak. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, fever and gradually worsening cough that often ends with a whooping sound that can cause the person to vomit. The cough gets worse over seven to 10 days and progresses to fits of coughing. Symptoms of whopping cough can whopping cough can last for weeks or months. “Whopping cough is easily spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing and close contact. Getting immunized is the best way to avoid being infected and spreading the disease to others in your family or community,’’ Morrison said. Most babies are immunized at two, four, six and 18 months and are only considered immunized after all four doses. Booster shots are offered in Grade 9.

Morrison said 91 per cent of students are immunized by Grade 1 while 95 per cent of Grade 9 students are vaccinated.

Morrison said the outbreak serves as a reminder to adults as well.