Health authorities in the Laurentides region are sounding the alarm as whooping cough, or pertussis, continues to spread rapidly. The Public Health Directorate of the Laurentides Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS) reports a sharp rise in cases over the past few months, with infections surging from 41 reported cases in mid-May to an alarming 1,405 by the end of August.
Children under the age of 10 have been hit hardest by the outbreak, especially over the last two weeks. Since the beginning of the year, 32 cases have also been confirmed in infants under one year old, a particularly vulnerable group.
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Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection spread through droplets when an infected person coughs. Initial symptoms mimic those of a cold, but quickly escalate into severe coughing fits. These bouts of coughing can cause difficulty breathing and are often accompanied by a distinctive high-pitched “whoop” sound. The intense coughing can lead to vomiting and, in some cases, a bluish tinge to the skin due to a lack of oxygen. In infants, who are especially vulnerable, the symptoms can be even more dangerous, with some showing only mild or absent coughs but experiencing serious breathing difficulties, including apnea.
The most at-risk populations include babies under the age of one, who are particularly prone to severe complications that may require hospitalization. Pregnant women who contract the illness in the four weeks leading up to childbirth are also at heightened risk of passing the infection on to their newborns. Health officials stress that vaccination during pregnancy can significantly reduce these risks, preventing up to 90% of hospitalizations and 95% of deaths in infants under three months.
With the school year now underway, the Public Health Directorate is reminding residents of the importance of keeping vaccinations up to date. They are strongly encouraging everyone, especially families with young children, to get vaccinated against whooping cough. By doing so, the spread of this highly infectious disease can be slowed, and the most vulnerable members of the community can be protected.
Vaccinations are available free of charge, and appointments can be made online through Clic Santé or by calling the health service line. Vaccination schedules for children involve multiple doses to ensure long-term protection, starting at 2, 4, and 12 months of age, with boosters required between ages 4 and 6. Pregnant women are advised to receive the vaccine during each pregnancy, ideally between the 26th and 32nd week, to safeguard their newborns until they are old enough to be vaccinated themselves at two months.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of whooping cough, regardless of vaccination status, should contact Info-Santé at 811 or seek medical advice, particularly if they are in close contact with vulnerable groups such as infants or pregnant women. Those diagnosed with the illness are urged to avoid contact with infants and pregnant women nearing their due date to help prevent further transmission.
For more information on whooping cough, how to recognize its symptoms, and ways to prevent its spread, residents are encouraged to visit the Laurentides Public Health website (santelaurentides.gouv.qc.ca).
