An outbreak of pertussis, or whooping cough as it is commonly known, has reached Fort Macleod.
Alberta Health Services last week added Fort Macleod to the list of communities where pertussis cases have been reported.
Alberta Health Services last month declared an outbreak of pertussis in the central part of the south zone.
Last week, Fort Macleod was added to the list of impacted communities that includes the County of Lethbridge, Coaldale, Taber, Vauxhall, Grassy Lake and Bow Island.
Sixteen cases of pertussis have been identified in the south zone, all locally acquired. Of these, three individuals required hospitalization.
Each of the communities where pertussis is reported have significantly low childhood immunization rates.
By age two, children should have received four doses of pertussis vaccine, and in some of these areas only one-third of two-year-old children have been vaccinated.
Pertussis is a bacterial infection that causes severe and prolonged coughing that lasts for weeks.
It can impact people of all ages, however, infants one year and younger are at greatest risk of serious complications, including pneumonia, convulsions, brain damage and death.
Pertussis illness starts with a runny nose, sneezing, fever, and mild cough.
Typically, over the duration of a week, the cough will become more severe with repetitive coughing spells.
In younger children, these coughing spells are usually followed by a “whooping” sound when inhaling. Vomiting following a coughing spell is also common.
In Alberta, pertussis immunization is free for all children less than 18 years of age, people who are in the third trimester of pregnancy (27 weeks), and adults who have not had a tetanus booster in the past 10 years.
People with confirmed pertussis should stay home until five days of treatment with appropriate antibiotics have been completed.
