Jab, but disease strikes

A FULLY immunised Bannockburn childcare pupil has contracted whooping cough, authorities have confirmed.

Golden Plains Shire Council confirmed a child enrolled in a program at its Bannockburn Children’s Services had tested positive to whooping cough. All families and staff have been notified and the case has been reported to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education.

A council spokeswoman said the childcare service was told yesterday the child had contracted whooping cough.

“The family acted responsibly and the child has not attended the service since first showing signs of being unwell and subsequent medical test results received today returned positive,” the spokeswoman said.

Bannockburn Children’s Service was compliant with the State Government’s “no jab no play” immunisation legislation implemented in January 2016, the spokeswoman said.

DHHS was notified of 116 Greater Geelong whooping cough cases and 25 Golden Plains region cases in 2017.

Geelong hospital clinical director of the women’s and children’s directorate David Fuller said whooping cough symptoms varied, depending on age.

While adults often presented with a severe cough and difficulty breathing, babies could have coughing spasms that were fatal or could lead to brain damage, Dr Fuller said.

He said anyone who thought they or their children had whooping cough should go to their GP for testing.