Whooping Cough regional update | Spare News

Whooping Cough cases appear to be declining after months of high numbers being reported. The respiratory illness has been making its heavy presence known in Ontario and Québec, impacting local communities in the region.

In Ontario, Whooping Cough cases tend to hover between 100 and 300 per year. Recent Public Health Ontario (PHO) numbers have put the Whooping Cough outbreak at 1,329 cases throughout the province as of October 9.

During an average year, between 240 and 1600 cases of the highly contagious disease are reported in Québec, per the Gouvernement du Québec. As of October 9, there have been over 16,000 reported cases in the province, significantly higher than the average of 562 cases between 2015 and 2019.

When laboratory staff and health professionals record a Whooping Cough case, they must also inform public health authorities.

The Eastern Ontario region recently witnessed more than 160 cases from the end of October, though the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) has confirmed that Pertussis cases in the region have begun to drop. Reported numbers from the EOHU placed outbreak numbers at 35 in August, 39 in September, and 15 at the end of October.

Communications Consultant Adelina Leonti for the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) des Laurentides confirmed that there has been a total of 1,661 confirmed cases in the region. Similarly to Eastern Ontario numbers, cases have been dropping month-to-month with 414 reported in August, 196 in September, and 109 in October.

“The Laurentides Public Health Department reminds that it is essential to keep your vaccinations up to date and encourages the population to get vaccinated against Whooping Cough to limit the spread of this contagious, infectious disease and protect the most vulnerable,” Leonti continued in French.

While October numbers appear to have the disease on the ropes, vaccinating and taking precautions to protect vulnerable individuals is still important. Most vulnerable populations tend to be infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

As one of the most common ways to prevent and fight against Whooping Cough, vaccinations work to protect individuals from infection and limit the spread of the disease.

For those in Ontario, vaccination appointments can be made through the EOHU at 613-933-1375, 1-800-267-7120, or by visiting their website: eohu.ca.

Vaccinations are available as part of the Québec Immunization Program, which provides the vaccination free of charge. Appointments can be made by visiting local health clinics, visiting the Clic Santé website: by calling 811, option 1, or 1-866-495-5833.

“If the diagnosis of Whooping Cough is confirmed, it is recommended that the sick person avoid contact with children under one-year-old and pregnant women in the last month of pregnancy in order to protect them,” Leonti concluded.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.