FREDERICTON -- New Brunswick's Health Department says an outbreak of whooping cough that began last year is over.

Dr. Eilish Cleary, the province's chief medical officer of health, says reported cases of whooping cough have diminished greatly over the last few weeks after an immunization campaign was launched in schools.

She says 1,421 cases were reported last year -- the largest outbreak ever reported in New Brunswick.

Children from 10 to 14 years of age were most affected.

Whooping cough is a disease of the respiratory tract's lining and begins with cold-like symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, fever and mild cough.

It worsens over several weeks to include coughing spells that often end with a characteristic whoop.