Pond Inlet nurses treating anyone with symptoms to stem whooping cough outbreak

Nunavut health officials say they're taking no chances trying to control an outbreak of whooping cough.

There are as many as 13 cases in Pond Inlet, and concerns the numbers could rise. 

"We're swabbing anyone that has any symptoms," says Melissa Kehler, a community health nurse. 

"Even if we don't see it in the clinic, we're going by the patient's report and we're doing a swab and sending them out and treating. We're not taking any chances and not waiting."

Swabs have been sent down south for testing, but it could take weeks for the results. There have also been some delays in sending the samples for tests.

"We had airport issues, runway issues where we were not having planes come in for a couple of days. We also had some weather to deal with," she said.

Kehler says they're also going ahead and vaccinating women more than 27 weeks pregnant in order to protect newborns. 

"We are all concerned," she said. "The way to contain any type of infection like this is health promotion, disease prevention." 

She stresses the importance of eating well, coughing into your sleeve, washing hands and avoiding those who are ill in order to control the spread of the illness. She also suggests cleaning door handles and taps to prevent the infection from spreading. 

Officials are also reminding people to get vaccinated for whooping cough. 

"The biggest thing is: don't hesitate, vaccinate."