A spike in respiratory infections has prompted a warning to parents of newborns in Manitoba.
62 children have been admitted to hospital in Winnipeg since November with respiratory infections.
Eight of those children were less than six-months-old.
Another nine of those patients were admitted to pediatric intensive care and had to be put on respirators.
Health officials say this is the time of year when respiratory infections can spread, but say there are a number of precautions parents can take to protect their children.
"It's really important if you're handling young infants to be very meticulous about your hand-washing, and if necessary wear a mask if you're coughing," explains Dr. Cheryl Greenberg from the Winnipeg Regional Health Authorities Child Health Program.
Dr. Greenberg also suggests keeping infants away from shopping malls and other crowded areas this time of year, when more people are suffering from colds and infections.
No children have died from respiratory infections so far this season, but experts warn, if left unchecked the illness can be fatal.
