The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit has declared a local whooping cough (pertussis) outbreak affecting residents across the Health Unit region. Since January 2024, 16 confirmed cases of pertussis have been reported to the Health Unit. This is an increase from the previous five years when the unit had an average of only 3.8 cases per year.
“With the increase of cases throughout the health unit area, many of whom are not linked to each other, it is clear there is community spread throughout the Nipissing and Parry Sound districts,” states Dr. Carol Zimbalatti, Medical Officer of Health.
Pertussis is an infection that affects the airways. It can easily spread to others when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Early symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, low fever, and a mild cough that gets worse over two weeks, often ending in a ‘whooping’ sound. The cough may be so severe that a person may gag or vomit and be unable to catch their breath. The cough can last up to 100 days, impacting an infected person’s abilities to sleep, work and participate in other daily activities.
Anyone can get pertussis and it can cause serious complications, especially for infants under one year of age and pregnant individuals.
The Health Unit is advising those who are experiencing a new or worsening cough to avoid contact with high-risk individuals, including infants less than one year of age and individuals in their third trimester of pregnancy. Individuals who have a severe cough and concerns about their symptoms should wear a mask and seek medical attention through their primary health care provider or a walk-in clinic.
Pertussis can be prevented by staying up-to-date with vaccinations. A pertussis vaccine is usually given at two, four, six and 18 months of age. Booster doses are given at four to six years of age, and 14 to 16 years of age. A free booster is also available to adults over 18 years old and is highly recommended for pregnant individuals during each pregnancy to protect newborns.
The Health Unit is urging the public to ensure all their vaccines are up to date, including their pertussis vaccine, by confirming with their health care provider, calling the Health Unit, or checking their records online at myhealthunit.ca/vaccinationrecord. Individuals needing to catch up on their vaccines can book an appointment with their health care provider or contact the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808 ext. 1301.
For more information about pertussis, visit myhealthunit.ca/cough.
