Whooping cough infections on the rise—Learn what you can do!

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a vaccine-preventable infection that has had a worldwide resurgence this year, including recently throughout Ontario. Within its service area this year, Public Health Sudbury & Districts has received reports of 8 people being infected with whooping cough, 5 of which have been since the start of June. Whooping cough is a bacterial respiratory infection that spreads easily from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

“We are reminding the public that the best protection against whooping cough is to make sure you and your family are up to date with your routine vaccinations,” said Dr. Mustafa Hirji, Acting Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer for Public Health Sudbury & Districts. “If you are potentially missing a vaccine dose or you are unsure of your vaccination status, please contact your health care provider, Public Health, or check your immunization records online,” said Dr. Hirji.

Symptoms of whooping cough usually start with mild cold-like symptoms including sneezing, running nose, mild fever, and a mild cough for 1 to 2 weeks. The cough then progresses into intense coughing fits that can make a person vomit, gag, or have a high pitch “whoop” sound when they take a deep breath.

If you have symptoms of whooping cough or were exposed to someone who has whooping cough or pertussis, contact your health care provider. IMPORTANT: before visiting their office or any clinic, call to tell them about your illness and to get guidance to help prevent spreading the infection to others.

Immunization records and immunization schedules

• Learn how to access and update your online immunization records by visiting www.phsd.ca/health-topics-programs/vaccines-immunizations/immunization-records-reporting-vaccinations/.

• For information about vaccine eligibility based on age and other criteria or requirements, please refer to the Ontario Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule (www.ontario.ca/page/vaccine-resources-professionals#section-2).

For more information about whooping cough and other vaccine preventable diseases, please visit phsd.ca or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).