Whooping cough outbreak in Kivalliq region declared over

A whooping cough outbreak declared more than five months ago in the Kivalliq region has ended.

The Department of Health declared the outbreak March 8, with active cases detected in Arviat and Rankin Inlet.

In a news release Friday announcing the end of the outbreak, the department said that between March 6 and July 23 there were 32 cases identified in the region, including at the Amaruq mine site, an Agnico Eagle gold mine north of Baker Lake.

With no new cases reported over the past five weeks, the office of the chief public health officer declared the outbreak over, Friday’s announcement said.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is an infection of the respiratory tract that includes a persistent cough followed by an unusual whoop-like sound.

The department advised people to avoid whooping cough by ensuring their vaccinations are up to date.