FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, June 22, 2026 | 3:00 p.m. | Windsor-Essex County
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is advising the public of a potential exposure to pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, following a confirmed case in the community. Anyone who visited the location listed below during the specified dates and times should monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days after their possible exposure.
- Central Erie Shores Walk-In Clinic
- 33 Princess Street, Leamington, N8H 5C5
- Dates:
- June 6, 2026 (10:00 am – 2:00 pm)
- June 9, 2026 (1:20 pm – 5:00 pm)
Pertussis is a highly contagious infection of the lungs and throat caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or has close contact with others. Early symptoms can look like a common cold and may include a runny or congested nose, sneezing, mild fever, and mild cough. After one to two weeks, the cough may become more severe and lead to coughing spells, difficulty breathing, a whooping sound when breathing in, or vomiting after coughing.
WECHU is encouraging anyone who may have been exposed and develops respiratory symptoms to contact their healthcare provider before attending an appointment, especially if they are pregnant, have an infant at home, or have contact with infants, pregnant individuals, or people at higher risk of severe illness. Be sure to inform your healthcare provider about your potential exposure. Pertussis can affect people of all ages, but it can be especially serious for infants under one year of age. Young infants may not develop the typical cough, which can make illness harder to recognize. Adolescents and adults may have milder symptoms but can still spread the infection to others.
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from pertussis (whooping cough). The WECHU strongly encourages everyone to make sure they and their family members are up to date on their pertussis vaccines.
To get vaccinated, contact your family doctor or nurse practitioner. Getting vaccinated helps protect you, your family, and young babies who can get very sick from pertussis.
Healthcare providers should think about pertussis when seeing patients with cough and other breathing symptoms. Finding and treating pertussis early with antibiotics can help stop it from spreading to others.