Whooping cough outbreak declared in Naujaat

Nunavut’s chief public health officer has declared a whooping cough outbreak in Naujaat.

Whooping cough is a contagious infection of the throat and lungs. The most severe cases occur in infants under the age of one, the Health Department warned in a public health advisory.

Dr. Ekua Agyemang, the territory’s chief public health officer, declared the outbreak on Wednesday. The release did not indicate how many cases have been confirmed.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, spreads easily from person to person, the advisory said. If parents or their children feel even mildly ill, they should stay home and avoid contact with others until symptoms are gone.

Early diagnosis is important in order to prevent the spread of the illness. Symptoms can include:

• A cough that lasts longer than a week;
• A cough followed by an unusual sound, like a “whoop”;
• Difficulty breathing, sometimes vomiting after coughing;
• Coughing that is worse at night;
• A fever of 39 C or higher that lasts more than three days.

Vaccinations are available and people are advised to ensure their vaccinations are up to date.

Preventive measures include frequent hand washing, coughing into your sleeve and not sharing food, drinks, utensils and toothbrushes.

Whooping cough outbreaks have been declared in several Nunavut communities over the past year.

An outbreak in the Kivalliq region, first reported in April, was declared over last August. The most recent outbreak was declared in Igloolik in December.

Further information on whooping cough can be found on the Department of Health’s website.