2 whooping cough cases confirmed in Iqaluit

There are now two confirmed cases of whooping coughin Iqaluit.

In a statement, Nunavut's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kim Barker, said letters were sent home to parents advising them to watch for symptoms of whooping cough, also called pertussis.

Symptoms include arunny nose and a cough that may worsen to a "whoop" sound. Barkersaid very young children and babies may vomit after coughing.

Parents are advised to take children to the hospital as soon as possible if they show symptoms.

Pertussis is treated with an antibiotic and a person is not contagious after five days of treatment.

An outbreak of whooping cough began in Pond Inlet in May.

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