Whooping cough outbreak declared in parts of Southern Manitoba
A whooping cough outbreak has been declared in Manitoba’s Southern Health- Santé Sud region.
On Monday, Manitoba Health announced that since January it has received 154 reports of confirmed or probable cases of whooping cough – 152 of these cases were in the Southern Health region.
These cases include 30 infants aged one or younger; 80 kids aged one to nine; 24 kids aged 10 to 19; and 20 cases in adults. The province noted that the outbreak includes 78 females and 76 males, and has resulted in 55 visits to emergency departments, as well as two admissions to pediatric intensive care. No one has died.
Whooping cough is a contagious illness that can be prevented by a vaccine.
It is caused by a bacteria that is often spread through respiratory droplets in the air from coughing or sneezing. The illness is most contagious at the beginning stages.
Initially, whooping cough has similar symptoms to the common cold. It starts with a mild fever, runny nose and cough, but can end up coughing fits that can last for one to 10 weeks. These symptoms usually appear seven to 10 days after exposure.
Whooping cough affects people of all ages, but infants and pregnant people in their third trimester are at highest risk. Some of the most severe complications include pneumonia, seizures, brain swelling and death.
Manitobans are reminded that the vaccine is safe and effective. It’s also the best way to prevent infection and severe symptoms, and limit the spread.
Children should be vaccinated against whooping cough at two, four, six and 18 months; between the ages of four and six; and in Grades 8 or 9. The vaccine is also recommended for those who are pregnant.
Manitoba Health has sent follow-up letter to parents and caregivers with children born in 2019, 2020 and 2021 who may be missing routine immunizations.
Anyone who has questions or concerns about immunizations is encouraged to speak to their health-care provider, public health office or by calling Health Links at 204-788-8200.
Manitobans with whooping cough symptoms should see their health-care provider.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard found not guilty of sexual assault
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago. The former Hedley frontman had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.
Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
Following child's death in Ontario, here's what you need to know about rabies and bats
An Ontario child died last month after coming into contact with a rabid bat in their bedroom, which was the first known human rabies case in Canada since 2019.
NDP house leader laments 'agents of chaos' in precarious Parliament
NDP House leader Peter Julian says there's more his party wants to do in Parliament before the next election, but if the current dysfunction continues it will become a factor in how they vote on a confidence measure.
Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters sentenced to 9 years for voting data scheme
A judge ripped into a Colorado county clerk for her crimes and lies before sentencing her Thursday to nine years behind bars for a data-breach scheme spawned from the rampant false claims about voting machine fraud in the 2020 presidential race.
A French judge in a shocking rape case allows the public to see some of the video evidence
A French judge in the trial of dozens of men accused of raping an unconscious woman whose now former husband had repeatedly drugged her so that he and others could assault her decided on Friday to allow the public to see some of the video recordings of the alleged rapes.
Youth pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of P.E.I. teen Tyson MacDonald
A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
Here's what the jury didn't hear in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
A northeastern Ontario jury has started deliberating in Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial, we can now tell you what they weren't allowed to hear.
2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building in Old Montreal early Friday morning, sources told Noovo Info.