Whooping cough outbreak on Acadian Peninsula

FREDERICTON (GNB) - An outbreak of whooping cough (Pertussis) has been declared on the Acadian Peninsula.

"We are declaring this outbreak due to a higher number of cases of whooping cough than usual in multiple settings," said Dr. Rita Gad, medical officer of health for the north region. "Public Health is monitoring the situation closely and working with health-care professionals, community partners and the public to decrease the risk."

Over the past two weeks, 11 cases have been reported on the Acadian Peninsula.

Whooping cough begins with cold-like symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever and mild cough, and worsens over a period of several weeks to include serious coughing spells that often end with a "whoop" or high-pitched sound when catching their breath. Whooping cough is easily transmitted from person to person, mainly through droplets from the nose, mouth and throat of an infected person.

"Whooping cough is a highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease that can occur at any age," said Gad. "It is very serious in babies and young children, especially for those who are too young to receive the vaccine. The best way to protect individuals against whooping cough infection and transmitting to others is to ensure you are up to date with your vaccines. A primary care provider, like a doctor or nurse practitioner, as well as public health offices, can give whooping cough vaccines to children and adults."

Expectant parents and anyone in close contact with babies and young children should ensure that their immunization is up to date.

Whooping cough is diagnosed based on symptoms and laboratory tests and is treated with an antibiotic. Treatment can reduce the spread of infection and duration of illness if given early.

People exhibiting symptoms of whooping cough should stay home if they are ill. They are encouraged to contact their health-care provider, call 811 or use eVisitNB online health-care services for assessment. It is also important to keep people with coughs and colds away from babies and young children.

More information about whooping cough is available online.

27-06-24

Media Contact(s)

Sean Hatchard, communications, Department of Health, [email protected].