Whooping cough cases in Bermuda spark call for caution
The Government has warned the public to be wary of whooping cough after two cases were reported on the island.
The Office of the Chief Medical Officer has confirmed two identified cases of pertussis on the island with no known link between the cases, potentially suggesting that the infection is circulating in the community.
Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, said: “Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is an extremely contagious respiratory illness that primarily spreads through close contact, such as coughing or sneezing near others.
“While indirect transmission through the air or contaminated objects is uncommon, it remains crucial to recognise the risks posed by this illness.
“Unlike the common cold, pertussis bacteria can lead to severe illness, particularly in young children and individuals with weakened immune systems. In rare instances, this infection can even result in fatalities.
“It is imperative that we take the necessary precautions to protect our most vulnerable populations.”
People are urged to call 911 or go to the Emergency Department if:
• Their child has periods of stopping breathing and their face or lips go blue (cyanosis)
• They or their child are finding it hard to breathe properly (shallow breathing)
• They or their child have chest pain that is worse when breathing or coughing — this could be a sign of pneumonia
• Their child is having fits
People should see a GP urgently or call 911 if:
• Their baby is under six months old and has symptoms of whooping cough
• They or their child have a very bad cough that is getting worse
• A pregnant woman has been in contact with someone with whooping cough
• They or their child has been in contact with someone with whooping cough and have a weakened immune system
Because whooping cough can spread very easily, it is recommended that patients call the GP before they go in.
A government spokeswoman said that the initial signs of whooping cough were similar to a common cold.
However, after about a week, patients suffer coughing bouts that can last for a few minutes.
Patients can also make a “whoop” sound between coughs as they gasp for air.
Coughs can also bring up a thick mucus, which can cause vomiting.
The spokeswoman said: “Although the current risk to the community remains guarded, the Chief Medical Officer strongly advises anyone with the above symptoms to consult their GP.
“Babies under six months are at an increased risk of developing problems such as dehydration, breathing difficulties, pneumonia or fits.”
The spokeswoman said that when doctors suspect whooping cough, they may have the patient take a test and prescribe antibiotics to help prevent further spread.
“Antibiotics may not reduce symptoms,” the spokeswoman said. “You can relieve the symptoms of whooping cough by getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids, and taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve discomfort.
“Always check doses of paracetamol or ibuprofen with a GP or pharmacist before giving them to a child aged under 16.
“If you have whooping cough, you will be contagious from about six days after the start of cold-like symptoms to three weeks after coughing starts. If you start antibiotics within three weeks of starting to cough, it will reduce your contagious time.
“Your healthcare provider is required by law to notify the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit about any cases of whooping cough.
“If diagnosed, you may receive a call from an ESU nurse to try to prevent further spread. Please be reassured that any details you provide to the ESU nurse will be treated as medical in confidence.”
The spokeswoman added that whooping cough is preventable with vaccination.
To prevent the spread of whooping cough, the public are urged to take similar precautions as with other respiratory infections such as covering the mouth when they cough, regular hand washing and avoiding “the three Cs”: close contact, crowded spaces and confined places with poor ventilation.
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