Nunavut's 2nd recent whooping cough outbreak is declared over

Nunavut's second whooping cough outbreak since May, 2016 is over, according to the territory'shealth department.

There wereconfirmed cases in Arviatin Septemberand in Rankin Inlet in October.

Thefirst outbreakwas declared over in April this year, after it started in May, 2016, in Pond Inlet andspread to 11 different communities in theQikqtaalukandKivalliqregions. With 154 confirmed cases, it wasdeemedthe largest whooping cough outbreak on recordin Nunavut.

• Whooping cough cases confirmed in Rankin Inlet and Arviat

At the time, Dr. Maureen Mayhew, Nunavut's acting chief medical officer, said the number of cases was above average in these communities for this time of year.

Known officially as pertussis, whooping coughis a contagious disease of the throat and lungsthat spreads from person to person. It can be very serious or fatal.

Anyone can get whooping cough, but the most severe cases are in children under the age of one, according to the Nunavut Health Department.

Symptoms can include:

• trouble breathing;
• vomiting after coughing;
• cough followed by an unusual "whoop" sound;
• coughing that is worse at night;
• a high feverthat lasts more than three days.

Whooping cough is preventable by getting vaccinated.

The government is urging Nunavummiut to check if theirimmunization records are up to date. Vaccinations are free atlocal health centres.

• Nunavut's whooping cough outbreak leads to change in prevention plans