MEDIA RELEASE 14 May 2009

Increase in whooping cough is a reminder to immunise babies on time

Parents in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes are urged to get their babies immunised against whooping cough (pertussis) to protect them from an expected outbreak.

The number of whooping cough cases is steadily rising in parts of New Zealand including Auckland and the Waikato. There have been 38 cases of whooping cough in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts so far this year (to May 14), compared to 18 for the whole of 2008. Whooping cough tends to occur in outbreaks every three to four years and this rise looks to be the beginning of the latest peak.

“Whooping cough is a preventable disease. If babies and young children are vaccinated, they can avoid the worst effects of this serious and sometimes life threatening illness,” says Toi Te Ora – Public Health, Medical Officer of Health, Dr Jim Miller.

Babies under one year are most at risk of serious complications from the infection. Around seven out of ten babies who catch whooping cough when they are under six months old are hospitalised.

“We encourage parents to get their babies immunised at six weeks,” says Dr Miller. “Babies who don’t get immunised on time are five times more likely to be hospitalised with whooping cough.”

Whooping cough symptoms start with a runny nose and dry cough. Coughing gets worse over the next few weeks developing into attacks of coughing. The ‘whoop’ sound occurs as babies draw a breath after a long coughing attack. Babies might go blue or stop breathing during coughing attacks.

If parents or caregivers have any questions about whooping cough they can call the Immunisation Advisory Centre on 0800 IMMUNE (466 863) or www.immune.org.nz.

ENDS