AHS advising North Zone residents to get immunized against whooping cough

Alberta Health Services has declared a whooping cough outbreak in northern Alberta.

AHS said the outbreak had been declared in the AHS North Zone due to a steady increase in the number of confirmed cases.

This year, 182 cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, have been confirmed in northern Alberta, and three of those have required hospitalization.

Officials said about half of all confirmed pertussis cases in the province were in the North Zone so far this year.

Pertussis is a bacterial infection that causes sever coughing, lasting for weeks – it can lead to pneumonia, convulsions, brain damage and can even be fatal.

AHS said Infants six months of age or younger are at greatest risk for developing serious complications from the infection.

All North Zone residents are encouraged to be immunized against pertussis – immunization is available by appointment at public health and community health centres throughout the North Zone.

The infection can be treated if caught early, but immunization can prevent the disease, and reduce its severity and spread if the disease does occur.

Anyone who suspects they or a family member has the illness is advised to call Health Link at 811 – more details on immunizations in Alberta can be found online.