Whooping cough cases triple in Mauricie and Central Quebec

Quebec public health officials have confirmed an outbreak of whooping cough or pertussishas led to 151 confirmed cases in the Mauricie-Central Quebec region.

At the beginning of October, there were about 40 cases.Over the last month, that number has tripled.

• Whooping cough outbreak jumps to 47 cases
• Whooping cough hits home for former anti-vaxxer

Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection that affects the lungs and upper respiratory system, releasing toxins that cause inflammation and swelling.

Outbreak 4 times annual average

The Mauricie-Central Quebec outbreakhas mostly affected young children. Close to a dozenelementary schools, two high schools and at least tendaycares in the regionreported cases of whooping cough earlier this fall.

Theoutbreak is already four times the annual average.

Babies are at the highest risk of complications from pertussis, and they most often are infected by adult caregivers who might not realize they're infected.

It takes two weeks to get the results of a test for pertussis, and because of that, public health authorities in the regionhave told doctors to advise patients to stay at home if whooping cough is suspected until they receive a firm diagnosis.

Maritimes and Western Canada also affected

Other provinces have also reported recent outbreaks in whooping cough. New Brunswick has reported about 40 cases while Prince Edward Island had 15 confirmed cases.

In Alberta, there were 182 confirmed cases by the end of the summer. In Manitoba, about 10 cases were reported.

Worldwide, 400,000 deaths a year

In Canada, between 1,000 and 3,000 people a year contract whooping cough, according to the Public Health Agency of canada.

Worldwide, the airborne bacteria that causes the illness affects 20 to 40 million people annually. Whooping cough still kills some 400,000 people each year.

Vaccination reduces risk

There is a vaccine for whooping cough which prevents the diseaseor, at least,leads to fewer complications.

Quebec's Health Ministry recommends all children are vaccinated, with a first shot at two months.

Vaccines: Busting common myths

Children must receive five shots in all to be protected from the disease:at two months, four months, six months and 18 months, then a final booster between the age of four and six.

Teens receive a sixth dose of the vaccine in their third year of high school. Adults need to geta one-time booster to be fully protected.

The whooping cough booster is a combination vaccine, with diptheria and tetanus. Once an adult receives the combination booster, they need a further booster for diptheria and tetanus once every ten years.