An outbreak of pertussis cases has occurred in Quebec, after the disease has wreaked havoc in British Columbia and New Brunswick.
The register of notifiable diseases lists 88 cases of pertussis in the province since the beginning of 2012, compared to only 12 for 2011, La Presse reported.
The National Institute of Public Health of Quebec have confirmed that this increase in cases is indeed an epidemic, but added that it is a "controlled epidemic."
Dr. Gaston De Serres, an epidemiologist, told La Presse that disease control is explained by a significant number of vaccines distributed. He said the immunizing was improved in 1998 following a year in which the disease had particularly affected the population, thereby preventing mortality and complications.
Pertussis is a disease of the lining of the airways. Symptoms resemble those of a cold, including sneezing, runny nose, low fever and mild cough. The disease is highly contagious. It can affect a person for several weeks.
The Public Health Agency of Canada reports that between one and three deaths due to pertussis usually occur each year in this country.
The register of notifiable diseases lists 88 cases of pertussis in the province since the beginning of 2012, compared to only 12 for 2011, La Presse reported.
The National Institute of Public Health of Quebec have confirmed that this increase in cases is indeed an epidemic, but added that it is a "controlled epidemic."
Dr. Gaston De Serres, an epidemiologist, told La Presse that disease control is explained by a significant number of vaccines distributed. He said the immunizing was improved in 1998 following a year in which the disease had particularly affected the population, thereby preventing mortality and complications.
Pertussis is a disease of the lining of the airways. Symptoms resemble those of a cold, including sneezing, runny nose, low fever and mild cough. The disease is highly contagious. It can affect a person for several weeks.
The Public Health Agency of Canada reports that between one and three deaths due to pertussis usually occur each year in this country.
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