Ottawa sees rise in whooping cough cases

With whooping cases rising in Quebec, doctors are reminding Quebecers of the effectiveness of vaccines. (Angie Wang, The Canadian Press)

Ottawa Public Health is reminding parents to add vaccinations to the back-to-school list for the fall, as the capital sees an increase in whooping cough cases.

The health unit is urging parents to ensure routine vaccinations are up to date, as it plans to resume enforcement of the Immunization of School Pupils Act in the fall, with possible suspension for students who are not up-to-date on their vaccinations.

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There have been 32 reports of people with confirmed or probable cases of pertussis (whooping cough) in Ottawa. Ontario has seen over 500 cases reported of whooping cough since the start of the year.

"Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is reminding parents and caregivers to ensure their children and youth are up to date on their routine vaccines, as we approach the school year and in light of an increase in reports of pertussis (whooping cough) in Ontario and locally," the health unit said in a statement.

"Vaccination remains the most effective defense against pertussis and other vaccine preventable diseases that used to be common in childhood. Maintaining high vaccination rates is crucial to controlling vaccine preventable diseases and reducing severe illness."

Whooping cough is a "very contagious infection of the respiratory tract," OPH said. It starts as a common cold and can progress into severe coughing spells that can last six to 12 weeks.

Pertussis most often occurs in children and youth.  

The pertussis vaccine is part of the routine vaccine schedule, and is given in four doses at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months of age, with a booster dose between 4-6 years old and between 14-16 years old.

"It is recommended that pregnant individuals receive a dose of pertussis-containing vaccine in every pregnancy, ideally between 27 and 32 weeks of gestation," OPH said. "Adults who have not previously received a dose of pertussis-containing vaccine in adulthood should receive a booster dose of Tdap when they are due for a tetanus vaccine booster. In Ontario, this is typically given at 24-28 years old."

Ottawa Public Health will resume ongoing surveillance and enforcement of the Immunization of School Pupils Act when students head back to class this fall, sending letters to parents and guardians for children and adolescents who have not reported up-to-date vaccination records to public health. The health unit says students may be at risk of suspension if their records are not updated within a given timeframe.

What are the symptoms of whooping cough?

Ottawa Public Health says pertussis starts like a common cold with sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever and a mild cough. It then develops into severe coughing spells, and "coughing spells may last as long as 6 to 12 weeks."

"The disease gets its common name from the 'whoop' sound people often make as they try to catch their breath after one of these coughing spells," OPH says on its website.

"The coughing spells begin very abruptly and may end with vomiting. Infants less than 6 months old, and teenagers and adults, often do not have the whoop-sounding cough, so anyone who has a persistent cough should see a health care provider to make sure the cough is not pertussis."

How do you get whooping cough?

Whooping cough is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes and the bacteria are spread into the air and other people breathe them in, OPH said.

"You can also become infected through direct contact with discharges from the nose or throat of an infected person. If you are not protected against pertussis through vaccination, you can become ill with this disease," the health unit says.