New Brunswick health officials say the whooping cough outbreak that had been localized in the Acadian Peninsula in June has spread across the province.
In a news release, the Health Department says there are a “higher number” of cases of whooping cough than usual reported in multiple regions.
Get weekly health news
Acting chief medical officer of health Dr. Yves Léger says the province is monitoring the situation closely and is working to decrease the risk of spread.
There have been 141 reported cases of whooping cough so far this year, well exceeding the province’s annual average of 34 cases.
While most of the infections have been reported in the Acadian Peninsula and surrounding areas, more than half of recent cases have been from outside that region.
- KHSC says change to urgent care hours aimed at making access more ‘predictable’
- Canada’s first ‘dementia-inclusive’ park set to open in Calgary in fall 2026
- Air quality warning in Edmonton, much of Alberta due to N.W.T. wildfire smoke
- Federal Court orders Edmonton prison to act on complaints about extreme heat
Whooping cough — or Pertussis — is a contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that can occur at any age, and usually begins with cold-like symptoms.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 22, 2024.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.