Despite a surge in whooping cough cases, public health officials in Waterloo region cautiously optimistic

Numbers of whooping cough cases have spiked across Ontario and in other regions of Canada, but public health officials in Waterloo region are cautiously optimistic about keeping infection numbers low.

Kristy Wright, the manager of Infectious Disease and Tuberculosis Control for the Waterloo Region Public Health Services, told CBC News "We've had 12 confirmed cases of pertussis or whooping cough in 2024 so far. It's hard to say what the rest of the year will bring. Typically, we see between 12 and 24 cases a year."

Wright explained that whooping cough circulates at low levels, with periodic increases every two to six years.

However, the pandemic disrupted standard healthcare services, leading to a temporary dip in vaccination rates.

In response, earlier this year, the region's Public Health Services made additional efforts to ensure students in the region's schools were up to date with their mandatory immunizations.

"We saw those rates decrease quite significantly over COVID, which makes sense because people were encouraged not to access healthcare unless absolutely necessary. Doctors were overwhelmed with other things. We did a lot of work over the last year after COVID, bringing our students in the region up to date with their mandatory vaccinations, which include whooping cough.," Wright said.

Listen | An example of a child's whooping cough:

CBC Radio News0:26Child's whooping cough

An example of a child's whooping cough from the Government of Canada's Public Health site

Beyond Waterloo region

Outside the region, in Ontario and other provinces, municipalities are seeing sharp increases in whooping cough cases.

Dr. Iris Gorfinkel, a family physician, a clinical researcher and a medical columnist, explained what is happening on CBC K-W's The Morning Edition.

"It's become an epidemic in Quebec where they're seeing nearly 20 times the normal number of cases in an entire year, and it's only August. Ontario and New Brunswick have had four to five times more whooping cough cases than they typically see over an entire year. Look at Saskatchewan, nearly three times the number of cases. Fortunately, Western Canada is spared, at least for now."

Risk factors include diminished vaccines

The most significant risk factor for whooping cough is remaining unvaccinated.

According to Public Health Ontario(PHO),there have been 431 whooping cough cases from January to June of this year. About one-third of these cases were known to be unimmunized. However, 32 per cent of these whooping cough cases were immunized.

Gorfinkel explained that vaccines' protection diminishes over time.

"The vaccines aren't perfect. They help prevent severe disease, but they tend to get less effective with time, which is why the booster shots are so important."

This diminished protection is particularly important for young teenagers. PHO reports that the whooping cough cases (from January to June 2024) ranged in age from one week to 86 years, but three-quarters of the cases were under 18, and more than a third of these cases were in the 10 to 14 year age group.

Whooping cough can be challenging to diagnose early, as initial symptoms resemble a common cold. However, unlike a typical cold that might resolve within a week or two, whooping cough worsens, leading to severe coughing fits that can last several months.

Gorfinkel noted, "They call it the hundred-day cough, it can last up to six weeks, sometimes longer. People cough so hard from this shotgun cough that their chest and abdomen get so sore, they actually can vomit from the pressure that puts on their stomach."

In addition to ensuring immunizations are current, people are advised to maintain good hygiene practices.

Gorfinkel explains how to protect yourself.

"The three C's: Cover, clean, contain. Cover the mouth every time you cough or sneeze with a tissue or your arm. Clean your hands frequently with soap and water, hand sanitizer and contain the virus. Don't go to work when you're sick. Nobody wants pertussis, never mind COVID or influenza or one of those other cold viruses."

While Waterloo Region Public Health is cautiously optimistic, they encourage families and individuals to ensure their vaccinations are up-to-date, practice good hygiene and be vigilant about early symptoms of whooping cough.