2 suspected whooping cough cases in Iqaluit as Pond Inlet outbreak continues

The number of cases of whooping cough continues to rise in Pond Inlet and two possible cases of the respiratory illness have now been found in Iqaluit.

Nunavut's health department says there are now 18 confirmed or probable cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, in Pond Inlet.

"A lot of them are children but we do have a few adults," said Dr. Kim Barker, the territory's chief medical officer. 

"It's the infants that we worry about the most because they become so unwell so quickly."

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She said health officials had anticipated the illness could spread to other communities, and that there are now two suspected cases in Iqaluit. Barker wouldn't disclose whether the Iqaluit cases were children or infants but said they were "not adults."

Swabs from those two patients have been sent to Ontario for testing.

Vaccinations against whooping cough are part of the routine immunizations given to children across Canada, but Barker said the protection can wane over time.

Barker said infants who have not yet reached immunization age are most at risk, which is why women who are pregnant are being encouraged to get a booster shot.

"That antibody also gets transferred on the baby so that during those first two months of life it has some protection," she said. 

Barker said infants who fall ill with whooping cough will not typically show signs of a whoop in their cough, rather they cough then vomit.

She is encouraging any parents in Iqaluit to bring children with signs of the illness to the hospital.