The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has confirmed 12 cases of pertussis, commonly referred to as whooping cough, within the last two months.
According to health officials, the ages of the affected individuals range from less than one to 41.
“This activity is significantly higher than what is typical for our community,” BCHU said in a statement.
Prior to two months ago, there had not been a confirmed case of whooping cough in the Brantford or Brant regions since 2020.
Whooping cough is a respiratory disease, typically spread through the air or by touching things an infected person has touched.
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This bacterial infection can occur at any age, but is the most severe in infants under the age of one.
BCHU officials say it usually takes between six and 20 days to develop symptoms of whooping cough after coming into contact with an infected person.
Dr. Rebecca Comley with the BCHU is taking this as an opportunity to remind residents that pertussis is a preventable disease.
“I urge residents of Brantford-Brant to ensure they or their children are up to date with the vaccines included in Ontario’s publicly funded immunization schedule, so we can protect those most vulnerable in our community,” she said.
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