Whooping cough Exposure Notice for Edmundston and Grand Falls
Vitalité Health Network, Monday, June 24, 2024 - Public Health reports a potential exposure to a confirmed case of pertussis, also known as “whooping cough”, at the following locations and dates:
- Emergency Department of Grand Falls General Hospital, Monday, June 10, between 7:25 PM and 9:00 PM.
- Emergency Department of Edmundston Regional Hospital, from Saturday, June 15, at 7:40 PM to Sunday, June 16, at 12:10 AM.
- Emergency Department of Edmundston Regional Hospital, Tuesday, June 18, between 12:40 PM and 8:40 PM.
- Emergency Department of Grand Falls General Hospital, between Wednesday, June 19, at 11:56 PM and Thursday, June 20, at 1:15 AM.
Patients, their carers and healthcare workers who visited these services on the specified dates are advised to monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days after their visit. Pregnant women in their third trimester and children under one year of age are particularly at risk.
If symptoms develop, please consult your healthcare provider, call 811, or use eVisitNB for evaluation, mentioning potential exposure to a confirmed case of pertussis.
Pertussis is a disease of the lungs and throat that is easily transmitted from person to person, mainly through droplets from the nose, mouth and throat of an infected person.
The best way to protect against whooping cough is to be immunized. Ensure that you and your family members are up to date with vaccinations according to the New Brunswick Routine Immunization Schedule.
Common initial symptoms of pertussis include:
- Mild fever
- Runny nose
- Red eyes with watering
- Cough
This cough becomes stronger and more frequent after 7 to 14 days. Following a coughing fit, the infected person may make a noise like a crowing sound upon inhaling, and may vomit or temporarily stop breathing.
For more information, please refer to the pertussis fact sheet.
