Grey Bruce Public Health says there has been a rising number of cases of pertussis better known as whopping cough across Ontario.
Public health is reminding the public to stay up to date with vaccinations as its the best defence against the highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection.
Over the first seven months of the year, public health has been notified of 16 confirmed cases of whooping cough across Grey-Bruce whereas usually there is just 3-4 cases annually in the region.
While pertussis can affect people of all ages, its most dangerous to infants who are at the highest risk and are too young to be protected by a complete vaccine series.
Whopping cough is an infection of the lungs and airways which is spread by droplets in the air from coughing or sneezing by an infected person.