The whooping cough outbreak declared in northern Alberta last August is over. Alberta Health Services says they are seeing less cases and the number is no longer about baseline levels. Formally known as pertussis, whooping cough is a bacterial infection that causes a severe cough that can last for weeks.
AHS stresses that it’s important for children to get routine immunizations starting at two months old. People who haven’t had a shot since they turned 18 can also get a dose as an adult.
If you think you or a family member may have the whooping cough, stay home and call a doctor or Health Link before going to a clinic.