AHS: Increase in pertussis cases

Pertussis (a.k.a. “whooping cough”) cases increased in 2023 with a recent increase in cases in the Calgary Zone.

AHS is requesting:

• Physician awareness, identification of cases, and early treatment to prevent further transmission
• Children to stay up to date with routine immunizations and all adults to receive dTap once every 10 years and for women in the third trimester of every pregnancy
• A high index of suspicion for pertussis infection, especially in unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals

Resources:

• Pertussis testing kit
• Pertussis management guidelines
• Read the memo