Montreal Public Well being warns of whooping cough in faculties

Article content material

Montreal public well being authorities are warning mother and father about a rise in whooping cough instances in faculties.

In a memo despatched to oldsters this week, Montreal Public Well being Director Mylène Drouin mentioned instances have been confirmed in elementary and secondary faculties.

“This extremely contagious an infection might stay current for a number of weeks or months,” Drouin wrote, noting that kids youthful than 1 12 months are notably in danger.

The memo says that whooping cough lasts from six to 10 weeks and develops in phases. Signs embrace a runny nostril and cough early on, however progress to a extreme cough that may result in vomiting, nausea, and issue respiratory.

Drouin wrote that vaccination is the easiest way to guard in opposition to whooping cough.

“The vaccine reduces the severity of signs and problems,” the memo says. “That’s the reason we strongly advocate vaccinating unprotected folks as quickly as doable.”

The vaccine is free and might be Booked via Clic-Santé portal.

In response to the Quebec Division of Well being, whooping cough instances usually peak each 4 years. The final main outbreak within the province was in 2019, when 1,259 instances have been confirmed.

Anybody whose youngster has cough signs is requested to name 811 or seek the advice of a well being skilled.

Share this text in your social community