Whooping cough confirmed at Fredericton school

Public Heath has confirmed a case of whooping cough at Devon Middle School in Fredericton. 

The Regional Medical Officer of Health, Na-Koshie Lamptey notified the school Saturday. 

A notice was sent out to all parents and guardians the same day with a link to an information sheet about the illness.

The bacterial infection, which often but not always, causes a "whoop" sound when breathing or coughing, can be particularly dangerous for very young babies. The disease can lead to hospitalization and, in rare cases, death.

Infants, especially those under four months of age, are at risk for life-threatening complications such as pneumonia; an inability to breathe (apnea); seizures; and brain damage.

Highly contagious disease

Pertussis often mimics cold viruses in its symptoms — runny nose, nasal congestion, red and watery eyes, and fever — but its signature hallmark is a cough and severe wheezing that can persist for weeks. As with a cold and the flu, the highly contagious disease is passed through saliva and mucus from person to person. 

Lamptey urges those who develop the symptoms to see their family doctor. A test will confirm if symptoms are from whooping cough and Public Health will be notified.  

Whooping cough can be treated with antibiotics. 

Lamptey advises parents and guardians to ensure all recommended immunizations are up to date. Whooping cough can be prevented with the pertussis vaccine.

The last whooping cough outbreak in the province was in 2015 with most cases in the Moncton area. 

Adults should consider booster doses

But Dr. Isaac Sobol, regional medical officer in Saint John, says whooping cough is common in the province with an average of 70 cases a year.

Children entering school should be protected against pertussis because of the publicly funded immunization program in place, however outbreaks can still happen, he said. 

"It's not that unexpected. It could happen for a number of reasons. Either the vaccine wasn't 100 per cent effective...and a child many have missed their immunization." 

Sobol said adults should also be getting a pertussis booster shot.

"They ought to talk to their health care provider and make sure that they are up to date as well." 

By having these booster doses, a people are not only protecting themselves but their families and community as well. 

Public health officials in Prince Edward Island said there were 52 confirmed and probable cases  there as of April 1. They said they believe the worst of the outbreak is over.