The Saskatoon Health Region is advising the public that whooping cough is on the rise.

Whooping cough, known as pertussis, is only found in humans and is a highly contagious disease which is spread from person to person.

It is caused by bacteria, and can also make it difficult to breathe for people of any age, due to excessive coughing, and a lack of time to breathe in.

Whooping cough can be fatal and is regarded as most dangerous for children under the age of one. Immunizations for the disease don't start until two months of age, and thus, newborns are the most vulnerable.

Thus far in 2015, the region has reported 20 cases, which has doubled the number of cases throughout all of 2014.