The discovery of whooping cough in a southwestern Manitoba First Nation has prompted the postponement of its traditional powwow and Treaty Day celebrations.
Long Plain First Nation chief David Meeches says the discovery of pertussis — whooping cough — in his community of 1,200 has prompted the return of COVID-19-like protocols. He says the goal is to keep children, elderly and immunocompromised community members safe by preventing the spread of the illness.
“We may be appearing … overly cautious, but we would rather do that and put this issue behind us as quickly as possible,” Meeches said. “We planned a lot of activities centred around our children … we’re keeping our children in mind.”
The whooping cough was found in the community earlier this week. Meeches said the disease is present in at least two households, but individual rates of infection could not be shared due to confidentiality.
Health Canada says between 1,000 and 3,000 people get whooping cough each year. The illness causes coughing fits so intense they create a “whooping” sound. The cough can lead to choking or vomiting.
Whooping cough is caused by a bacteria and commonly spreads from coughing or sneezing. It’s most contagious during the initial stages of the illness.
Contact tracing is underway in Long Plain, but it remains unclear how it was brought into the community, Meeches said.
“The good news to this point is that we’ve, we’ve yet to hear any additional cases, but we have no clue how it came to the community,” Meeches said.
A community notice issued Friday has been sent door-to-door in Long Plain First Nation and posted on social media. It includes a message from the chief and council explaining all events that involve people gathering have been cancelled for the next couple of weeks.
The notice states the First Nation and Inuit Health Branch declared a pertussis medical occurrence in Long Plain First Nation on Thursday. The branch recommended all community events like the powwow, Treaty Day celebrations and Land Annuity Payments be postponed to prevent the spread of whooping cough.
The notice also encourages all community members to ensure they are vaccinated, as “this is the only means for our community to overcome pertussis in a timely manner.”
Without treatment, whooping cough can last for weeks or months, and can cause brain damage or death, says Health Canada. It is most dangerous for children under the age of one,” especially if they are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated.”
“It is important that you and your children receive all of your vaccinations for protection of yourself and others,” the federal agency says.
Many people are vaccinated for whooping cough in the community. The biggest concern now is those who may not be, Meeches said.
Long Plain First Nation now has a mask mandate and people are instructed to stay home if they are experiencing whooping cough symptoms.
If precautions are followed the measures are expected to end sooner and not affect other communities or spread more in Long Plain, Meeches said.
Based on consultations with medical professionals, if the current plan works the medical occurrence should be over in hopefully three or four weeks, Meeches said.
“The safety of Long Plain is paramount in our thinking,” Meeches said. “We didn’t want to hold an event and invite people into our community and possibly get them sick.”