Whooping cough spreads to third Nunavut community

A case of whooping cough has been confirmed in a third Nunavut community, Hall Beach, government health officials said July 7. (FILE IMAGE)

A case of whooping cough has been confirmed in a third Nunavut community, government health officials said July 7.

An outbreak of the highly-contagious bacterial infection, also known as pertussis, first hit Pond Inlet in May, infecting as many as 18 residents.

Early last week, the health department said there was a single case of the respiratory infection found in Iqaluit.

Now there in one confirmed case of whooping cough in Hall Beach, a community of 750 in the Baffin region, Nunavut’s health department said July 7.

Health officials are warning residents of that community and others in Nunavut to be on the lookout for symptoms of the infection, especially in infants.

Whooping cough is marked by a cough that is often, but not always, followed by high-pitched inhalation. The infection can spread to anyone, but the most severe cases are seen in children under the age of one.

The Department of Health is now asking parents of children under the age of three with the following symptoms to visit their local health centre:

• a cough followed by an unusual sound that sounds like “whoop;”

• vomiting after coughing; and,

• a high fever.

As a precaution, the health department also said families with young children should encourage frequent hand-washing, coughing into a sleeve or tissue and to avoid sharing food and drinks.

Health officials also advise against smoking indoors, as cigarette smoke can aggravate the infection.

In Canada, babies are routinely vaccinated against whooping cough, starting at two months of age. That means newborn babies can be at the greatest risk of contracting the disease.

Pregnant women can also be vaccinated to prevent their babies from contracting the infection.

Whooping cough is treatable, but the infection can last for several weeks, and in rare cases, it can cause brain damage.