Ontario whooping cough cases are on the rise [Video]

A public health unit in central Ontario is the latest to warn about rising cases of pertussis — or whooping cough.

The Haliburton, Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit issued an alert earlier this week about increased whooping cough activity within the school community. The health unit serves Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton counties.

Marianne Rock, HKPR’s communicable disease and prevention control, advises monitoring children for symptoms including a runny nose and mild fever. However, severe coughing and the distinctive “whoop” sound begins within a few days.

“We’re finding that there are a number of children who are sick with pertussis symptoms,” she said.

The highest at-risk group are infants under the age of one and pregnant individuals in their third trimester, the health unit says. If exposed or symptomatic, individuals should contact their health care provider immediately for further assessment.

According to Ontario Public Health, between January and March of 2024, there …