AHS declares whooping cough outbreak in Lethbridge County

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has declared an outbreak of pertussis (whooping cough) in the central part of the South Zone.

Sixteen cases have been identified with three of them requiring hospitalization, the health agency says.

Communities impacted at this time involve those spanning the County of Lethbridge, Coaldale, Taber, Vauxhall, Grassy Lake, and Bow Island.

AHS is reminding Albertans of the importance of getting immunized, especially for small children as the affected communities show significantly low vaccine rates.

By age two, children should have received four doses of the pertussis vaccine, and in some of these areas, only one-third of two-year-old children have.

Pertussis is a bacterial infection that causes severe and prolonged coughing that lasts for weeks. It can impact people of all ages, however, infants one year and younger are at the greatest risk of serious complications, including pneumonia, convulsions, brain damage and death.

Pertussis illness starts with a runny nose, sneezing, fever, and mild cough. Typically, over the duration of a week, the cough will become more severe with repetitive coughing spells.

In younger children, these coughing spells are usually followed by a ‘whooping’ sound when inhaling. Vomiting following a coughing spell is also common.

Immunization is the best method to protect against and limit the spread of pertussis, along with regular hand washing and remembering not to share drinks, food, or cutlery.

If anyone thinks they may be sick with pertussis, they should stay home and call a family physician or Health Link at 811, before seeking medical care. People with confirmed pertussis should stay home until five days of treatment with appropriate antibiotics have been completed.