Whooping cough cases in South Australia running at 13 times the rate of last year

Professor Nicola Spurrier is pleading with the public to get vaccinated against whooping cough after a baby died in Queensland and cases continue to surge at home.

Whooping cough cases have trebled since September hitting 1349 cases — 13 times the 103 cases recorded at the same time last year.

The surge has prompted another plea from health authorities for pregnant women and infants to get vaccinated. While no deaths have been reported in South Australia, a baby died in Queensland this month from the disease.

The highly infectious disease is spread when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes small droplets into the air which are breathed in by those nearby, and also by contact with hands, tissues and other articles soiled by infected nose and throat discharges.

SA Health says if a mother has a dose of whooping cough vaccine from 20 weeks of pregnancy, this can provide good protection for the baby until they can have their first vaccine at six weeks of age.

Chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier noted babies aged six weeks, four months and six months can receive a free vaccination, with boosters offered at 18 months, four years, and to year seven students.

“This ongoing surge in cases is alarming, particularly because whooping cough can be very severe, and even life threatening in babies and young children,” she said.

“The best protection against whooping cough is vaccination. If you are pregnant, you can get a free vaccination to help protect your baby, while little ones should also be kept up to date with their childhood immunisations.

“You should consider getting a booster, if you are the parent, grandparent or loved one of an infant, or you work with young children, and if you are unsure of your immunisation status, speak to your doctor.”

Prof Spurrier said it is important to maintain good respiratory hygiene by covering your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, disposing of used tissues, washing your hands and staying home from work or school if sick.

Epidemics usually occur every three to four years but the last major wave was in 2016 with 1900 cases recorded.