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Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Confirmed in Lanark County

June 7, 2019

A laboratory confirmed case of Bordetella pertussis has been reported to the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit.

Consider pertussis in an individual with a paroxysmal cough or a cough lasting two or more weeks. Adolescents, adults, and children who are partially protected by the vaccine may have a milder disease. The pertussis vaccine wanes in effectiveness before the 14 to 16 year old booster in some individuals and so the risk of pertussis increases.

To assist with testing, treatment, and management of confirmed cases of Bordetella pertussis refer to our Reportable Diseases Toolkit for Health Care Professionals. A nasopharyngeal (NP) swab specific for Bordetella pertussis must be used to collect a specimen for laboratory testing (see link above to order swabs).

Immunization with acellular pertussis vaccine is the mainstay for the control of pertussis.

  • Adacel (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis) is available for teenagers between 14–16 years and for those that missed their 4–6 year booster.
  • Adults ≥ 18 years of age should receive one dose of Adacel. This can be given safely regardless of the interval from the last tetanus/diphtheria containing vaccine. Older persons are often found to have the first case in a household and can be the source of infection for children.
  • Adacel vaccine should also be offered to every pregnant woman (ideally between 27 and 32 weeks gestation) to increase protection for the newborn, regardless of previous immunization history.

Pertussis is a reportable disease under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. All suspect and confirmed cases must be reported to the Health Unit. Please call the Infectious Disease team at 613-283-2740 or 613-345-5685 if you have questions.