Southwest Saskatchewan residents advised to protect against Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) advises southwestern Saskatchewan residents to ensure routine childhood immunizations are up-to-date following a recent Pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak in southern Alberta.
What is pertussis?
Pertussis, or “whooping cough”, is a serious and highly contagious infection of the lungs and throat caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. Young children who have not been immunized get sicker than other children therefore, immunization is key to preventing serious illness and outcomes. In addition, early diagnosis and treatment is important to stop the spread of the pertussis bacteria.
- Pertussis spreads easily when an infected person coughs, sneezes or has close contact with others. It starts like a common cold with symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, mild fever and a mild cough.
- During the next week or two, 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 ore often at night. The cough can make a person gag or spit out mucus, making it hard to breathe. This prevents enough oxygen from getting to the brain
Is pertussis treatable?
Immunization is key to preventing serious illness and outcomes. Pertussis is treated with antibiotics, which help reduce the spread of infection and the duration of illness when given during the very early stage.
The whooping cough vaccine (given as a combined vaccine called Tdap) is recommended for every pregnancy, given between 27 and 32 weeks. Immunization in pregnancy is safe and provides protection to infants until they are able to receive the pertussis vaccine at two months of age. Partners should receive a single dose if they have not had a booster dose after turning 18. Immunization is also recommended for adult caregivers of infants under six months if they have not received Tdap as an adult.
Pertussis-containing vaccines are part of the routine childhood immunization program (2 months of age to Grade 8). An adult immunization program is now available as well.
Need more information?
For more information on pertussis, you can refer to this fact sheet or visit saskatchewan.ca/ residents/health.
Do you want to talk to a health-care provider? Call 8-1-1, or visit your nearest Public Health office. To find a location near you, visit saskhealthauthority.ca/ services-locations.
SEVEN DAYS A WEEK
ALCOHOLIC ANNONYMOUS MEETINGS IN SWIFT CURRENT. Info: 306-773-7494.
FEBRUARY 9
SWIFT CURRENT SQUARE DANCE CLUB, Valentine Special, First United Church. Catered supper, caller Val Wright. Info: Renz 306-778-2197.
STARS FOR SASKATCHEWAN CONCERT
SERIES, 7:30 p.m., Living Sky Casino Event Centre. Jack Semple. Ticket information scartscouncil.ca.
FEBRUARY 11
NEW BEGINNINGS NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS GROUP, 6:30 p.m., AA Clubhouse (Lions Hall basement). Info: www.southsaskna.org.
LEADER AND DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL CONCERT, Jack Semple,
7:30 p.m., Leader Community Centre.
FEBRUARY 13
TOPS SK3871, 9:30 a.m., Community Baptist Church. Info: Vi 306-773-6156 or Celia 306-773-9795.
STEAM CLUB, 4 p.m., Swift Current Library. Children aged six plus. Pre-register 306-7782752.
TOPS SK972, 6:30 p.m., Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. Info: Gisele 306-773-8113 or 306-741-7317.
RENZ’S ROUND DANCERS, 7:30 p.m., First United Church.
Info:
Renz 306-7782197.
FEBRUARY 14
BRIDGE AND WHIST, 1 p.m., Swift Current Library.
JOB SEARCH SKILLS, 3 p.m., Swift Current Library. Pre-registration required 306-778-2752.
NEW BEGINNINGS NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS GROUP, 8 p.m., AA Clubhouse (Lions Hall basement). Info: www. southsaskna.org.
FEBRUARY 15
FIRST UNITED CHURCH 3RD AVE. BOUTIQUE AND GARAGE SALE, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., First United Church. Donated items accepted preferably on Monday and Wednesday mornings.
WRITE OUT LOUD, 6:30 p.m., Lyric Theatre. Local Writers’ Night. Dianne Greenlay, J. Charles Griffin, Wendy
Brown Thienes, Lindy Enns. Musical guest at 7 p.m., readings to follow.
BINGO, 7:30 p.m., Royal Canadian Legion Branch #56. Doors open 6 p.m. Every Wednesday.
FEBRUARY 17
SWIFT CURRENT SQUARE DANCE CLUB, 7:30 p.m., First United Church. Info: Renz 306778-2197.
BLENDERS CONCERT, Alex Cuba, Lyric Theatre. Music starts 8:30 p.m. Ticket information at www.blendersmusic.ca.
FEBRUARY 18
NEW BEGINNINGS NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS GROUP, 6:30 p.m., AA Clubhouse (Lions Hall basement). Info: www.southsaskna.org.
GOOD TYME DANCE CLUB, monthly dance, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Eagles
Hall. Cash bar. Coffee and lunch. Music by Terry and Terry.