Recent outbreaks and cases of pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, has local health professionals concerned.
Gillian Jordan, program manager for infectious diseases at Grey Bruce Public Health, advises that if adults are properly immunized against it, the symptoms are quite mild and may not even show themselves. However, the symptoms can be quite severe for those who have not be vaccinated.
"For others, where it's a bit more concerning, especially for young people, or folks who are immunocompromised, is if the infection does develop, it can lead to quite a severe cough that can linger for quite a few weeks," Jordan explained.
For immunocompromised people or infants, the symptoms can be quite nasty.
"It can lead people to have these coughing fits where they cough so hard they gag or choke, even vomit. For people, especially infants, who haven't had the chance to be vaccinated, obviously having symptoms like that can cause some quite adverse effects," added Jordan.
Typically, infants begin being vaccinated against pertussis quite young and generally there is a fairly lengthy vaccination process usually done during childhood.
"There are doses that are given at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months of age. A booster at 4-6-years-old and again between 14 and 16. So I think during the pandemic I think what we saw was an opportunity for some people to fall behind on receiving those boosters on time," Jordan said.
In the first seven months of 2024, the health unit has been notified of 16 confirmed or probable cases of pertussis in Grey-Bruce. Typically, three to four cases of the infection are reported in Grey-Bruce annually.
In Ontario, 431 probable or confirmed cases of pertussis were reported to Public Health Units in the first six months of 2024. That compares to 369 cases over the same period in 2023 and 162 cases in the first six months of 2022.
Pertussis-containing vaccines are available through primary care providers. For those without a primary care provider or who face barriers in getting an appointment, Grey Bruce Public Health offers clinics for routine vaccines biweekly in Owen Sound and monthly in Walkerton. Call GBPH’s Vaccine Preventable Diseases team at 519-376-9420 ext. 2 to book an appointment.
