After a full week of school, health authorities are warning the public about the resurgence of whooping cough cases in Quebec.

Outbreaks of whooping cough have been reported to the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux in several regions. To date, for the year 2024, the people most affected are young people aged 10 to 14.

As of August 27, more than 11,670 cases of whooping cough have been reported in Quebec.

What is pertussis?

Pertussis is a respiratory infection caused by bacteria. The disease evolves in phases and lasts a few weeks. In the first few days, it resembles a cold, with a runny nose, mild cough, low-grade fever and watery eyes.  Then, a cough sets in and may persist for several weeks.

The cough has the following characteristics

Coughing in fits;
Coughing with crowing (noisy whistling on inspiration at the end of the coughing fit);
Cough ending in vomiting, retching or difficulty in catching breath.

Those at risk of serious complications include newborns whose mothers did not receive pertussis vaccine during pregnancy, and babies under 12 months of age who did not receive the first two doses of vaccine.

How to protect yourself and your child against pertussis

The best way to avoid whooping cough is vaccination. The regular vaccination schedule calls for a dose of vaccine at 2, 4 and 12 months of age, and a booster dose between the ages of 4 and 6.

Vaccination of pregnant women is also recommended on the regular schedule, ideally between 26 and 32 weeks of pregnancy, and for every pregnancy. This protects the baby during the first months of life. 

In the presence of pertussis symptoms, it's important to maintain good hand hygiene habits, and if possible wear a mask when coughing, with a sore throat or nasal congestion.

Vulnerable persons (pregnant women, babies under one year of age) who have been in contact with a case of whooping cough should contact Info-Santé by dialing 811, or consult a physician. The doctor may recommend a diagnostic test and antibiotic treatment
antibiotic treatment, if necessary.

If a pregnant woman in her third trimester or a child under one year of age has been in contact with a case of whooping cough, a preventive antibiotic may be prescribed to reduce the risk of complications.

If a diagnosis of pertussis is made, avoid contact with children under one year of age and pregnant women.

Exclusion from primary (including kindergarten) and secondary schools is not required. However, it is recommended to stay home if you have a fever, and to wear a mask if you have a cough, sore throat or nasal congestion, if possible.

If an antibiotic is prescribed for pertussis, wearing a mask is no longer recommended 5 days after starting the antibiotic.