It seems that reports of whooping cough around the country have been on the rise in recent weeks.

Whopping cough is a persistant cough that can sound like a crowing as the patient fights to breathe. Brenda Fraser, Public Health Nurse Program Manager, says that the north east doesn't have a strong whooping cough presence at this time. 

"To date we've only had one confirmed case in the Northeast. But, because it does start out as a mild cough, many people may overlook getting healthcare and seeing their doctor for what they might perceive as a mild cough. It could be circulating more than what we're aware of but, to date, we've had the one case," Fraser said.

Whooping cough can start innocently enough, one or two coughs that don't seem serious, but Fraser says parents need to be aware of what it can turn into. 

"Parents should be watching for a cough in their children. But also Pertussis is seen in older children and youth as well as adults. So a cough that is persisting or getting worse after a week, you should see a physician and get it looked at."

If you, or your kids, are diagnosed with whooping cough your doctor will put you on a series of anibiotics. People that need to take the most care around a diagnosed case of whooping cough are pregnent women, the very young, as well as seniors and people with existing respiratory conditions.