PREECEVILLE — The Saskatchewan Health Authority has declared an outbreak of pertussis – commonly known as whooping cough – in the Preeceville area.
"Pertussis is a serious and highly contagious infection of the lungs and throat caused by Bordetella Pertussis bacteria," said the authority in a media release. "Anyone can get pertussis, but the disease is most severe in children less than one year, where it can be fatal."
According to Health Canada, without treatment, pertussis can last for weeks or months, and can cause brain damage or even death.
- Symptoms of early stage pertussis are common cold-like symptoms such as:
- sneezing
- runny nose
- mild fever
- mild cough
- As the illness develops, 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 more often at night.
- The illness also produces mucus, which is expelled through coughing. Mucus makes it difficult to take a breath, preventing enough oxygen from getting to the brain.
- Contracting pertussis does not produce life-long protection, so sick individuals may contract the disease again.
Those with symptoms should see a family physician or nurse practitioner as soon as possible.
There is a vaccine for the disease.
- The vaccine is given in childhood and in Grade 8.
- As a way of protecting infants, especially those below the age of six months, the vaccine is provided to caregivers of infants, if they have not previously received the vaccine as an adult.
- The vaccine is also recommended for pregnant women in each pregnancy.
- Receiving the TdaP (Tetanus, Diptheria, acellular Pertussis) vaccine between 27-32 weeks gestation will provide passive, temporary protection to the infant.
- Other adults can receive one dose of this vaccine (in their lifetime) when they get their next tetanus booster (recommended every 10 years).
Early diagnosis and treatment is important to stop the spread of the pertussis, the authority said. A person with pertussis who does not get treatment can spread the germ to others for up to three weeks after the cough starts. The pertussis bacteria is spread very easily by infected people when they cough, sneeze or have close contact with others, and can easily spread among people of the same household, school or daycare. Saskatchewan had three pertussis-related deaths between 2010 and 2015.
“The risk of serious illness can be reduced with vaccination. It is important to ensure that you and your children are up-to-date on your vaccinations,” said Medical Health Officer Dr. Ashok Chhetri. “Please consult your local Public Health Nurse for more information on how to protect your family from pertussis”
