The Fraser Health Authority is again urging people in this area to get a whooping cough vaccine, as more cases of the highly infectious illness continue to crop up.
The authority sent out a new public service announcement Thursday morning, noting that anyone who is in regular contact with children, including pregnant women and their partners, should get the vaccine, which is currently being offered for free in an effort to combat the spread of the illness.
"Fraser Health has distributed over 30,000 doses of the whooping cough vaccine to doctors and pharmacists," said Dr. Paul Van Buynder, chief medical health officer for Fraser Health. "We continue to see new cases and urge anyone who has or expects to have contact with infants and young children to get vaccinated."
In all, there have been more than 250 cases of whooping cough - or pertussis - reported in the region since December, with nearly 50 since the start of March alone. The outbreak was initially confined to the eastern part of the health authority, in the Hope area, but newer cases have appeared throughout the region and into neighbouring health regions.
Dr. Elizabeth Brodkin with the Fraser Health Authority told the Record in February that true numbers are likely much higher - as much as three times higher - as cases go unreported or simply undiagnosed in mild cases.
In most cases, pertussis causes severe coughing that can last for several months, and can be particularly risky or even fatal for young children and babies. Of infants one year and under who contract pertussis, about 50 per cent will be hospitalized.
The bacteria that causes it is considered highly infectious and easily spread as it's an airborne bacteria that can travel from one person to another through coughing, sneezing or even laughing. Initial symptoms are similar to a cold, but the cough worsens, often leading to long cough spells where the individual has a hard time catching their breath. The coughing can cause gagging or vomiting.
Adults can access free vaccine through their family doctor or at participating pharmacies. See www.fraserhealth.ca/whoopingcough for more information.
The vaccine offers protection for four to 10 years; exposure to pertussis can lead to a natural "booster" but limited outbreaks in the last decade mean many adults have lost their natural immunity.
The health authority is also urging parents to ensure their children are fully immunized.
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