Pertussis Surveillance in Canada: Trends to 2012

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection.
• Endemic and cyclical outbreaks of pertussis occur globally, necessitating ongoing surveillance and control measures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the current pertussis (whooping cough) activity across Canada.
• To analyze trends in pertussis incidence, hospitalization, and mortality.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive analysis of national surveillance, clinical administrative, and vital statistics data.
• Examination of pertussis incidence stratified by year, age group, gender, and geographical region (province/territory).

Main Results:

• Pertussis exhibits cyclical peaks in Canada every 2-5 years, with incidence highest among infants and children.
• Significant declines in pertussis activity followed the introduction of routine immunization programs.
• Infants, especially those under three months, face higher risks of hospitalization and mortality.
• Pertussis trends varied by province and territory, with a notable incidence increase in 2012, the reasons for which remain unclear.

Conclusions:

• Improved disease monitoring approaches are needed to enhance the understanding of pertussis epidemiology in Canada.
• While the 2012 pertussis activity peak may be isolated, further development of rapid research tools and resources for outbreak response is recommended.