An outbreak of whooping cough has been declared in Kugaaruk, chief public health officer Dr. Ekua Agyemang advised on April 24.

Anyone can get whooping cough, but the most severe cases are in children under age one, the Department of Health stated. 

Whooping cough is a respiratory disease of the throat and lungs that spreads very easily from person to person, but it is preventable with immunization.

If you or your child are mildly ill, stay home and avoid contact with others until your symptoms are gone to prevent the spread of the illness, the department urged.

Call your health centre if anyone in your household has any of these symptoms:

-a cough that lasts longer than a week

-a cough followed by an unusual sound like SA国际影视传媒渨hoopSA国际影视传媒�

-trouble breathing

-vomiting after coughing

-coughing that is worse at night

-a high fever (39掳C and above) that lasts more than three days

Other means of avoiding the spread of the illness are:

-frequent handwashing

-coughing into your sleeve or tissue

-not sharing food, drinks, utensils or toothbrushes

More information about whooping cough, also known as pertussis, can be found on the Department of Health's webpage.