Health unit notified of whooping cough cases in Kawartha Lakes
Parents advised to recognize symptoms and seek medical care if needed
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is urging parents and guardians to ensure their children’s immunizations are current and on file with the local health unit in the wake of confirmed cases of pertussis in the City of Kawartha Lakes.
“Immunization remains the best way to protect your child or yourself from getting sick with pertussis,” stated Dr. Natalie Bocking, the health unit’s CEO and medical officer of health, in a news release.
“Please familiarize yourself with the symptoms of pertussis and seek medical care if your child has these symptoms. Pertussis can be treated with antibiotics. Lastly, and most importantly, always ensure your child’s routine vaccinations are up to date and have been reported to the local public health unit.”
The local health unit is holding immunization clinics for students or people who do not have a health-care provider.
To book an appointment, call 1-866-888-4577, ext. 1507 or visit hkpr.on.ca/classes-clinics-and-supports/immunization-clinics.
What is whopping cough?
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a serious bacterial infection of the respiratory system.
It is endemic worldwide and occurs year-round, even in regions with high vaccination coverage. The World Health Organization has estimated there are between 20 and 40 million cases of pertussis worldwide, 95 per cent of which are in developing countries.
Routine childhood immunization for pertussis, along with
protection from polio, tetanus and diphtheria, has significantly decreased cases of those diseases.
However, with approximately 400,000 deaths per year, pertussis remains one of the leading causes of death among nonimmunized children, mainly in developing countries.
Pertussis can be introduced to communities through travel to countries with lower rates of vaccination.
It can circulate among those who are unvaccinated, undervaccinated or those whose vaccine effectiveness has decreased over time. It is very contagious and spreads via droplets from the noses and mouths of those who are infected.
While anyone can get whooping cough, it is most dangerous for children under the age of one year and pregnant women.
What does whopping cough look like?
Once a person is infected, it can take up to 20 days for them to develop cold-like symptoms, particularly a very runny nose. After a few days, the typical irritating coughing begins that becomes more frequent and severe.
Coughing may be followed by a “whoop” sound before the next breath. The coughing can be so aggressive that children vomit or have trouble breathing. The cough is usually severe for two to three weeks and then starts to get better. It can last up to two months.
Diagnosed cases of whopping cough are treated with antibiotics. Parents/caregivers should check their own immunization records, as they may be eligible for publicly funded pertussis-containing vaccine when the next booster is due.