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Pertussis Outbreak

Current Situation: South Zone, Outbreak Over

The pertussis outbreak in South Zone was declared over by the Zone Medical Officer of Health December 13, 2017. Read the Public Service Announcement.

As always, all South Zone residents are encouraged to ensure that they, and their children, are up-to-date on immunizations. Visit www.immunizealberta.ca

In the South Zone, pregnant women will continue to be offered the pertussis vaccine in their third trimester of every pregnancy, to protect vulnerable newborns. All Albertans can prevent illness and the spread of disease by following the recommended immunization schedule..

Protect yourself & your family: All Albertans

To reduce the risk to South Zone residents, and all Albertans, we need to ensure as many people as possible are up to date with their immunizations.

Please be sure that you and your children are up to date on all recommended immunizations, including those that protect against pertussis.

Find the routine childhood immunization schedule here, and see below for additional routine recommendations for adult protection from pertussis.

Pertussis Quick Facts:

  • Pertussis (whooping cough) is a bacterial infection of the airways. It is easily spread (by sneezing or coughing) and by direct contact with someone who is infected.
  • The pertussis bacteria can live for two to five days on dry objects like clothes, glass or paper.
  • The infection can cause coughing so severe that children and adults can have difficulty breathing or eating, and the coughing can last for months.
  • Pertussis can lead to pneumonia, convulsions, brain injury and even death. Children with serious complications may require long-term hospitalization, and babies are particularly vulnerable, including to death.
  • Those who are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated are at risk.
  • More Info:

Routine Immunization Recommendations*:

  • In Alberta, vaccine that protects against pertussis is offered to children, free of charge, through Alberta’s Routine Childhood Immunization schedule.
  • All adults 18 years of age and older are advised to receive one adult dose of pertussis-containing vaccine.
  • Pregnant women in the third trimester (after 26 weeks), who have not received an adult dose of pertussis containing vaccine, are always offered pertussis-containing vaccine in Alberta.
  • In specific ares of the province where risk of pertussis is increased, all pregnant women in third trimester will be offered pertussis-containing vaccine, regardless of whether they have received an adult dose already, or not.
  • Offering vaccine to women in the third trimester of pregnancy is an important step in protecting both the mother and their infant, as infants are the most vulnerable to developing severe complications from pertussis.

South Zone Booster Clinics

Current Pertussis Data

Confirmed Pertussis Cases in Alberta, by Zone; 2017 (Year-To-Date)**

Year of Diagnosis Zone
  South Calgary Central Edmonton North Total
  Count Count Count Count Count Count
2017 441* 58 208 137 168 1012

 

* 388/441 cases were linked to the current outbreak
** Note: data in this chart will be updated Thursdays, starting June 15/17
(Source: CDRS as of 12/07/2017)

Page last updated December 7, 2017