Whooping cough outbreak in southern Bruce County and northern Huron County, says health unit

The Grey Bruce Health Unit is working with Huron County to address a local pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak.

There are 39 cases in southern Bruce County, mainly in an under-immunized population. Meanwhile, the Huron County Health Unit reports significant pertussis activity in the north end of Huron County.

Pertussis is a serious bacterial infection of the respiratory system. It is spread easily through droplets in the air from coughing or sneezing by an infected person. The disease begins with an irritating cough which becomes more frequent and severe, often followed by vomiting. This lasts up to two months or longer. A characteristic crowing or high-pitched whoop may occur.

Infants who have not completed full primary immunization, and women in their last three months of pregnancy, are most at risk. Complications may include pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, chronic lung damage and, occasionally, deaths in infants.

Pertussis is preventable through immunization. It is one of the first set of immunizations recommended for all babies. It is also included in the Ontario Immunization Of School Pupils Act. It is highly recommended that immunizations of all family members, including grandparents, be up-to-date for pertussis before arrival of a new baby into a family.

Parents are asked to check their child’s immunization status to ensure it is current. Routine childhood immunizations include the pertussis vaccine. Adults can receive one dose of pertussis-containing vaccine along with tetanus and diphtheria.

Local hospital emergency departments, family physicians and nurse practitioners have been notified of this outbreak. The Grey Bruce Health Unit is continuing to hold assessment and immunization clinics to immunize families in the outbreak area and to ensure the follow-up of cases.

For further information, call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 or visit the website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.