Our local health unit is dealing with an outbreak of Whooping cough. North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jim Chirico is urging everyone to make sure their Pertussis immunizations are up to date especially in West Nipissing. Chirico says the outbreak is localized at this time.
Chirico says Whooping cough is similar to the common cold, but worse.
Whooping cough is spread easily through droplets in the air from coughing or sneezing by an infected person and is most contagious during the first 1-2 weeks. The best way to protect against whooping cough is by getting immunized. For more information, you can check out the Health Unit’s whooping cough fact sheet at www.myhealthunit.ca.