There has been a surge in whooping cough cases in Canada. Several provinces have reported a significant increase in infections compared to the pre-pandemic average.
In Quebec, 11,670 cases have been reported so far this year. Between 2015 and 2019, the average number of annual cases was 562. Most of those affected by whooping cough are between 10 and 14 years old. This was revealed by a spokesperson for Quebec’s Ministry of Health.
The last time the province saw a significant spike in whooping cough cases was in 2019, when 1,269 people were infected.
Ontario has reported 470 cases of whooping cough so far this year, up to June, compared to the five-year average of 98. Additionally, Toronto has recorded 99 cases and Ottawa 76 cases. These numbers are five times the pre-pandemic average for these cities.
These figures came to light after New Brunswick reported a whooping cough outbreak last week. In New Brunswick, a total of 141 cases have been reported so far, compared to the five-year annual average of 34.
Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, said the highly contagious disease, also known as pertussis, is spreading across Canada. In an interview, she stated that this illness can be very severe and even fatal, especially for young children. “We call it the 100-day cough,” she said. “It can cause a severe cough for a long time.”
Public health officials say whooping cough is cyclical, with outbreaks occurring every two to five or six years.
