21 cases of whooping cough in Huron Perth so far this year
Huron Perth Public Health is warning residents about an increase of whooping cough cases.
In 2022, there were three cases in the area, but so far in 2023, there have been 21 confirmed by public health.
"The illness can be serious for infants younger than 12 months of age who are not vaccinated, or who have not received all doses of the pertussis vaccine," says Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health for Huron Perth in a Wednesday news release. "Young children have the highest risk for severe complications, such as hospitalization and death, if they get sick."
Public health says the illness begins with mild, cold-like symptoms and may progress to severe coughing that can last two weeks or longer and be extremely contagious. Children may make a ‘whoop’ sound, gag, or vomit while coughing.
Public health says the rise in cases in Huron Perth and southern Ontario is partially due to delays in routine immunizations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parents are encouraged to keep their children up to date on immunizations and, if they or their kids are sick, to stay home and contact their primary care provider.
Earlier in March, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health reported 12 cases of whooping cough since the fall. Last week, the number for WDG jumped to 18.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
O'Toole says CSIS told him he was focus of Chinese misinformation, suppression effort
Conservative MP Erin O'Toole says Canada's spy agency has told him he was the target of Chinese interference intended to to discredit him and promote false narratives about his policies while party leader.

U.S. officer shoots at truck driver near N.B. border crossing
Traffic is back up and running through the border crossing between Woodstock, N.B., and Houlton, Maine, after a security scare Monday.
Blue Jays pitcher 'truly sorry' for sharing anti-LGBTQ2S+ video
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Anthony Bass said he is 'truly sorry' for sharing a controversial anti-LGBTQ2S+ video on Instagram.
Low sexual satisfaction linked to memory decline later in life: study
Low sexual satisfaction in middle age could be linked to future memory decline, according to a new study.
Human rights activist confirmed to be held in Chinese detention centre: family in Canada
Chinese authorities have confirmed that human rights activist Dong Guangping has been held in a Chinese detention centre since October of last year, according to the man's family in Canada.
Police identify engaged couple shot dead after dispute with landlord near Hamilton
A young couple shot and killed after a dispute with their landlord near Hamilton have been identified by police.
Priest charged in alleged sexual assault of 8-year-old girl on Manitoba First Nation
Manitoba RCMP have arrested a priest from a First Nation community who is accused of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl, and believe there may be more victims.
B.C. teacher who singled out students over their breasts, bathroom-use suspended for 5 days
A B.C. high school teacher is facing a five-day suspension and course requirement after making multiple students feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about their bodies—and it’s not the first time he’s been disciplined in the past decade.
Federal government aiming to dispose of half of its office buildings with hybrid work here to stay
The federal government is planning to offload up to half of its office buildings across the country, citing the rise in remote and hybrid work.