While some communities in southwestern Ontario are seeing an increase in pertussis, commonly referred to as whooping cough, Lambton Public Health (LPH) has not noted any recent cases within its jurisdiction.
The last case of pertussis reported in Sarnia-Lambton was in 2019.
Earlier this week, the health units in Windsor-Essex and Huron-Perth reported increases in whooping cough cases.
There have been 18 cases since November 2022 in Windsor-Essex, and in Huron-Perth there have been 21 confirmed cases so far this year.
"As always, Lambton Public Health encourages parents and caregivers of children to stay up-to-date on their routine immunizations, which include pertussis, as this greatly reduces the risk of outbreaks and serious illness," read an emailed statement to Sarnia News Today.
"Other eligible populations for pertussis vaccine include adolescents around 14 to 16 years of age, pregnant individuals preferably between 27 and 32 weeks of gestation, and one adult booster dose for those 18 years of age and older."
Pertussis is a contagious infection in the lungs and is most dangerous for infants.
In February, LPH said 6,589 letters would be sent to students about routine immunizations.
