Whooping cough outbreak declared in Naujaat, Nunavut

Health officials in Nunavut have announced a whooping cough outbreak in the community of Naujaat. This warning was issued in a news release on Wednesday. Residents are urged to look for symptoms, particularly families with young children and infants. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a serious respiratory illness. It causes severe coughing fits, which may lead to choking or vomiting. The disease spreads easily, and infants under one year old are most at risk. Health officials recommend that anyone who feels mildly ill should stay home and avoid contact with others until they recover. People should contact their local health center if anyone in their household shows any of the following symptoms: a cough lasting over a week, a cough with a "whooping" sound, difficulty breathing, vomiting after coughing, worsening cough at night, or a high fever lasting more than three days. Officials highlight that the best way to prevent whooping cough is through vaccination. They advise residents to check that their vaccinations are current.