Third whooping cough outbreak declared this week, this time in Arctic Bay

A whooping cough outbreak in Arctic Bay has put the community on alert, with Nunavut’s acting chief public health officer warning parents of babies and young children of the risks of infection.

Dr. Andre Corriveau declared the outbreak Friday afternoon, after previously declaring whooping cough outbreaks in Iqaluit and Pond Inlet on Tuesday.

Mandatory masking remains in place in Iqaluit at Qikiqtani General Hospital, Ihivriuhiviit Clinics and the city’s boarding home.

A close-up look showsthe bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which causes whooping cough. (File photo)

Anyone can get whooping cough, but the most severe cases are generally in children under the age of one, said a news released issued Friday by the Department of Health.

Whooping cough is an infectious respiratory disease of the throat and lungs that spreads easily from person to person, but is preventable with immunization.

The release advises people that if they or their children are sick, to stay home and avoid gatherings and contact with others until symptoms are gone, to prevent the spread of the illness.

People are encouraged to contact the nearest health centre if anyone in their household has any of these symptoms:

• A cough that lasts longer than a week;
• A cough followed by an unusual sound like a “whoop”;
• Trouble breathing;
• Vomiting after coughing;
• Coughing that is worse at night;
• A high fever (39 C and above) that lasts more than three days.

Vaccination is available.

Other measures that can reduce the spread of whooping cough include frequent handwashing, coughing into one’s sleeve, and not sharing food and drinks.