Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health is alerting the public of the increasing cases of Pertussis, otherwise known as whooping cough in the region.
12 cases have been identified over the fall and winter, much higher than normal for the region.
In a release, Dr. Nicola Mercer Medical Officer of Health and CEO says especially for children, whooping cough is serious, particularly dangerous for children under one year of age who are not vaccinated from Pertussis.
The Pertussis vaccine remains available at either Public Health or your doctors office.
Pertussis is a bacterial infection that spreads easily through droplets that are sprayed into the air when someone sick with pertussis sneezes, coughs or talks.
It can also spread by direct contact with objects used by someone sick with pertussis.
Early symptoms of pertussis resemble a cold with a runny nose and a cough. The cough becomes more frequent and severe.
A child may gag, vomit, have trouble breathing or give a loud “whoop” sound when breathing in.
If these symptoms develop, contact your healthcare provider.