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2 whooping cough cases confirmed in Iqaluit

In a statement, Nunavut's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kim Barker, said letters were sent home to parents advising them to watch for symptoms of whooping cough, also called pertussis.

Parents advised to take children to the hospital if they show symptoms

There are now two confirmed cases of whooping cough in Iqaluit.

In a statement, Nunavut's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kim Barker, said letters were sent home to parents advising them to watch for symptoms of whooping cough, also called pertussis.

Kim Barker, Nunavut's chief medical officer of health, says parents should take children to the hospital as soon as possible if they show symptoms of whooping cough. (Sima Sahar Zerehi/CBC)

Symptoms include a runny nose and a cough that may worsen to a "whoop" sound. Barker said very young children and babies may vomit after coughing.

Parents are advised to take children to the hospital as soon as possible if they show symptoms.

Pertussis is treated with an antibiotic and a person is not contagious after five days of treatment.

An outbreak of whooping cough began in Pond Inlet in May.