On Sept. 22, Yukon Employees' Union head Justin Lemphers noted on X, formerly Twitter, the Yukon government doesn’t include whooping cough in its respiratory surveillance report.
The next day, the health minister and chief medical health officer gave an official update on the illness.
Seven cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, have been reported in 2024, according to the Sept. 23 press release via the Yukon government.
Most cases were tied to travel, although some cases have no known source. That could be an indication of possible community transmission, per the release.
The Yukon isn’t immune as whooping cough rates increase across Canada, the release notes.
“We’re seeing pertussis cases on the rise not only in Yukon but across the country. Vaccination is your best defence and I urge all Yukoners to ensure their immunizations are up to date, particularly for children and pregnant individuals,” Dr. Sudit Ranade, the chief medical health officer, said in the release.
Typically, in Canada, 1,000 to 3,000 people get ill from whooping cough each year, according to the federal government’s website. Around the world, there are about 20 to 40 million cases of and 400,000 deaths due to whooping cough annually.
Whooping cough is a contagious respiratory infection of the lungs and airways that can lead to severe illness, particularly in infants.
“Whooping cough can have serious and sometimes life-threatening complications, especially for infants. We strongly encourage Yukoners to stay up to date with their vaccinations and take steps to protect themselves and their communities from pertussis,” Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee is quoted saying in the release.
Since vaccines can safeguard against this preventable illness, the Yukon government is trying to convince Yukoners to stay up to date with their vaccinations, as well as practice regular handwashing and avoid sharing food or drinks to prevent the spread.
As noted in the release, if a Yukon resident or their child develops symptoms of whooping cough, then contact their health provider to get diagnosis and early treatment, which can also help limit the spread.
“If a child is not up to date on their vaccination schedule or if someone is pregnant, they should speak with their local health centre, health care provider or the Whitehorse vaccine clinic to discuss their options,” reads the release.
As noted on the federal government website, symptoms can start to develop a week to 10 days after being infected and could appear up to 28 days after infection. It usually starts with a mild fever, runny nose, red watery eyes and a cough. It can lead to complications like pneumonia and brain damage and serious coughing fits that may cause difficulty breathing, choking and vomiting. Symptoms tend to be less profound in older children and adults.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com
