Alberta Health Services is advising of a whooping cough outbreak in its Central Zone.
 The Central Zone covers the communities in the area from Two Hills to Drumheller, Lloydminster and Rocky Mountain House.
  Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a bacterial infection that causes severe coughing that lasts for weeks, pertussis can lead to pneumonia, convulsions, brain damage and even death. Infants six months and younger are at greatest risk for these serious complications.
  Alberta Health has increased the number of immunization appointments available in the Central Zone to reduce infant infection rates.
    These appointments are specifically intended for the following Central Zone residents:
infants and pre-school aged children who are not up-to-date on immunizations;
caregivers and close contacts of infants such as parents, grandparents, nannies, child care staff (e.g. daycare centres and family day homes);
health care workers;    
women who are at least, or greater than, 26 weeks pregnant (Immunizing women at or after 26 weeks of pregnancy is safe, and increases protection for newborn infants by minimizing risk of infection in those around them and giving them antibodies transferred during pregnancy).
     Pregnant women and adult caregivers/close contacts can call their family doctor to see if they have immunizations available.
   Parents unsure of their child’s immunization history can contact their local community health centre to discuss.        Alberta Health has confirmed over 100 cases of whooping cough in the Central Zone this year.
  Seven of those have required hospitalization.
  Alberta Health asks anyone who suspects that they or a family member may be sick with pertussis to stay at home and call their family doctor or Health Link Alberta, toll-free at 1-866-408-LINK (5465), before seeking medical care.      When prescribed treatment, cases should stay home from work, school or childcare until five days of antibiotics have been completed.