Nunavut's Department of Health has asked everyone to ensure their immunization records are up to date after confirming cases of whooping cough (pertussis) in Arviat and Rankin Inlet.
Whooping cough is preventable with a vaccine, yet a May 2016 outbreak of the contagious disease in Nunavut saw 154 cases confirmed in 11 communities. The outbreak lasted until April of 2017 before being brought under control by an intense campaign that saw more than 6,000 people vaccinated.
The most severe cases of the disease strike children under the age of 12 months.