North Seeing Spike In Whooping Cough Cases

North Seeing Spike In Whooping Cough Cases

Tuesday, October 05, 2010 at 14:53

Whooping cough cases in the province’s north have doubled, according to the deputy medical health officer for northern Saskatchewan.

Doctor Monika Dutt says, so far, there have been about 20 cases, compared to about 10 on average.

Dutt says whooping cough cases tend to rise and fall in adults every few years, so normally, this rise wouldn’t be that big of a concern.

However, she says, this time around, it’s hitting infants — and in babies, it can be quite severe.

Dutt is urging all new mothers and caregivers of infants to become immunized, to prevent the spread of the disease.

She says new mothers of infants under six months old can be immunized for free, as can caregivers of infants within the family.