Whooping cough vaccine clinics coming to Clyde River, Pond Inlet and Pangnirtung

Nunavut'sDepartment of Health is increasing its efforts to combat whooping cough in theQikiqtaaluk region, withvaccine clinics in Clyde River, Pond Inlet and Pangnirtung this week.

The whooping cough outbreak has spread quickly across the territory this summer.

As of Aug. 3 there were70 probable or confirmed cases of whooping cough in the communities of Pond Inlet, Hall Beach and Iqaluit.

The clinics, heldin partnership with Health Canada, are being mounted to immunize as many people as possible, particularly young children, says a spokesperson from the department.

Whooping cough, alsoknown as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease, preventable through immunization and treatable with antibiotics.

Symptoms include a cough followed by an unusual "whoop" sound or a funny-sounding cough and vomiting after coughing or not breathing after coughing.

Vaccination is particularly important for children under the age of two and pregnant women in their last trimester.

People planning to travel outside their community in Nunavut are also encouraged to get vaccinated.