Kirsten Larsen
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 11/98) - Cases of whooping cough have surfaced in Yellowknife during the past week, prompting schools to send out notice to parents.

"There are seven cases so far," said Kate Hamilton, public health nurse of the Yellowknife public health unit. "One (of the cases) is an adult and the rest are in a variety of schools."

Public advisories have been sent out to parents and guardians of students who have possibly been in contact with those infected with whooping cough. Infected individuals are required to stay home for five days while being treated with an antibiotic which they must take for 14 days.

"You generally get rid of the infection with five days of medication," said Hamilton. "The cough can remain for several weeks after the infection is gone."

Hamilton said there is little cause for alarm as the number of cases to surface is relatively low. The numbers are so low that health officials are finding it possible to track the infection back to the person likely to have spread the ailment.

"I know of one case where (a young male) was exposed to it at a wrestling tournament in Edmonton," said Dr. Andre Corriveau, medical health officer for Health and Social Services. "That might be how it came to Yellowknife this time. It's the most likely event."

Precautions are being taken to protect those at risk of contracting whooping cough. Infants, and those not vaccinated against the infection who are in regular contact with an infected person, are given antibiotics to kill off any of the whooping cough bacteria they may have contracted.

Those who have been vaccinated are not entirely immune to the infection as the vaccination is only 90 per cent effective. However, the antibiotic is given to priority "at risk" cases.

Hamilton said although there are only seven reported cases of infected people, there could be more out there who are infected and don't know it. She suggests people monitor themselves and see a doctor if they have a serious, painful cough.

"If a person is coughing to the point where it is causing severe distress, go see a doctor," said Hamilton.