Whooping cough cases increase
The number of whooping cough cases in Taranaki is on the rise.
There have been 11 whooping cough notifications in the region since the start of the year, with the patients ranging in age from one month old to 62 years.
Five of the cases were adults. Ten came from the New Plymouth District and one from South Taranaki, Taranaki DHB medical officer of health Jonathan Jarman said in an emailed statement.
‘‘There were a total of 37 notifications last year so unfortunately this year we are tracking above normal.’’
Whooping cough (or pertussis) is a highly contagious illness that is spread by an infected person through droplets produced during coughing or sneezing.
It can be a very annoying disease for older people but can be life threatening for children aged less than one year, Jarman said.
‘‘Young children have bouts of severe coughing that can end with them vomiting or stopping breathing. Unfortunately the cough tends to be worse at night and can last for weeks.
‘‘The best way to stop the spread of whooping cough is to make sure all of your children are up to date with their immunisations, keeping babies away from coughs, and seeing a doctor if anyone has a cough that won’t go away.’’
Vaccinations are also recommended for pregnant women between 28 and 38 weeks so that immunity can be passed to babies when they are born, Jarman said.
‘‘This immunity protects them until they get their first vaccinations at six weeks of age and then they receive further vaccinations at three months and five months.’’
Protection wanes over time. People can get whooping cough some years later, even if they’ve been immunised or have had it before, which is why it’s important for 4 and 11-year-olds to have booster immunisations, he said in the statement.
The Whooping Cough vaccination is free for children and pregnant women.
There is a drop-in immunisation clinic inside the Antenatal Clinic at Taranaki Base Hospital which is open every Tuesday between 2-3pm.
Pregnant mothers are welcome to attend the drop-in clinic or can arrange a vaccination appointment through their midwife.