Whooping cough outbreak spreads to Cape Dorset

A whooping cough outbreak in Nunavut has spread to another Baffin Island community, with one confirmed and two probable cases now in Cape Dorset.

Last week, the Department of Health and Social Servicessaid 71 people in the territoryhave come down with whooping cough, also known as pertussis. At the time, Nunavut's chief medical officer also said the outbreak is slowing in the territory.

Caseshave alsobeen confirmed in Hall Beach, Pond Inlet and Iqaluit.

• Whooping cough outbreak slowing, says Nunavut's chief medical officer

• Whooping cough vaccine clinics coming to Clyde River, Pond Inlet and Pangnirtung

Whooping cough is a contagiousinfectionof the throat and lungs.A tell-tale sign of the diseaseis a coughfollowed by an unusual sound that sounds like "whoop" andvomiting or not breathing after coughing.

The Department of Heath says the best way to protect yourself from whooping cough is to ensure everyone in your household is vaccinated.Vaccination is especially important for children under the age of two and pregnant women in their last trimester.

Precautions include:

• frequent handwashing
• coughing into your sleeve or tissue
• not sharing food, drinks, utensils or toothbrushes

The symptoms of whooping coughcan be exacerbated bycigarette smoke.