McGill says pro-Palestinian protest outside senior administrator's home 'crosses the line'
McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years.
While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, here's what you need to know about the contagious disease.
Also known as pertussis, whooping cough is a highly contagious infection caused by the bacteria bordetella pertussis that affects the airways and lungs. It used to be called the "100-day cough" as symptoms can last for months if left untreated.
Whooping cough causes intense coughing fits that can even lead to choking or vomiting. Coughing can be so violent, that a "whooping" sound can be heard when someone tries to catch their breath. Initial symptoms can appear seven to 10 days after infection and may include mild fever, runny nose, red watery eyes and a cough.
Whooping cough is directly spread through close contact with an infected person. The bacteria that causes it is able to live on dry objects for two to six days, although indirect spread is rarer.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), whooping cough is a cyclical disease, meaning reported case counts vary significantly by year, averaging between 500 and 4,500 annually in Canada and 20 to 40 million cases globally. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says large outbreaks occur every three to five years.
Outbreaks in Canada were declared in 2023 in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. In March, Alberta Health Services warned about a spike of cases in Okotoks, south of Calgary.
"Increased pertussis activity this year is not unexpected as it follows a period of low incidence during the years of the COVID-19 pandemic," reads an emailed response to CTVNews.ca from PHAC.
Without treatment, whooping cough can lead to brain damage and even death. It is most dangerous for children under the age of one, particularly those who are not fully vaccinated, as well as older adults. Europe has recorded 11 infant deaths and eight among older people in its ongoing outbreak. There are an estimated 400,000 deaths worldwide each year, mainly among non-immunized children in developing countries..
Yes. Children in Canada typically start receiving the whooping cough vaccine at two months of age. Children under six years old need five doses for full protection.
The Public Health Agency of Canada urges anyone in regular contact with a baby to be immunized at least two weeks before seeing them. The vaccine's effectiveness fades over time, so a booster dose may be needed. Booster doses are also typically given during pregnancy between 27 and 32 weeks.
Vaccination rates vary widely across the country. In the Alberta Health Services' south zone, for example, only 58.1 per cent of children under the age of two are protected. Overall, data from 2019 shows 78 per cent of children under the age of two were vaccinated in Canada.
"So with many of these infection and diseases, we need community vaccine rates to be well over 80 per cent, and for some of them, including whooping cough, ideally over 90 per cent," Dr. Craig Jenne, a professor in the department of microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary recently told CTV News Calgary.
Whooping cough can be detected through a lab test. All cases must be reported to local health authorities. Infections are usually treated with antibiotics.
With files from The Associated Press
McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
Questions about how the team is going to handle the absence of star winger Brock Boeser from a do-or-die game seven dominated pre-game interviews with the Vancouver Canucks coach and players Monday morning.
A federal judge will reopen the sentencing hearing for the man who broke into Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco home and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer after the judge failed to allow him to speak during his court appearance last week.
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Catching 'em all with impressive speed, a 7-year-old boy from Windsor, Ont. who only started his competitive Pokémon journey seven months ago has already levelled up to compete at a world championship level.
2b Theatre recently moved into the old Video Difference building, seeking to transform it into an artistic hub, meeting space, and temporary housing unit for visiting performers in Halifax.
A B.C. woman says her service dog pulled her from a lake moments before she had a seizure, saving her life.
A Starbucks fan — whose name is Winter — is visiting Canada on a purposeful journey that began with a random idea at one of the coffee chain's stores in Texas.
Members of Piapot First Nation, students from the University of Winnipeg and various other professionals are learning new techniques that will hopefully be used for ground searches of potential unmarked grave sites in the future.
ALS patient Mathew Brown said he’s hopeful for future ALS patients after news this week of research at Western University of a potential cure for ALS.
When Adam Kirschner wrote 'Slap Shot,' he never imagined the song would be embraced by his favourite team.
A team is ready to help an entangled North Atlantic right whale in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.