Huron-Perth Public Health continues to deal with increasing cases of pertussis, better known as whooping cough.
Last year only 3 cases were reported locally but so far in 2023, 21 confirmed cases have been seen.
Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health for Huron-Perth says the illness can be serious for infants younger than 12 months who have not received all doses of the pertussis vaccine.
Public Health says the increase in cases has been partly due to delays in routine immunizations from the pandemic.
Vaccination against pertussis remains as the best way to prevent the illness.
The vaccine is given at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months of age, followed by booster doses at 4-6 and 14-16 years of age.