Whooping cough epidemic breaks records in SA with no end in sight

The dangerous whooping cough epidemic is smashing records with no end in sight as cases surged 30 per cent nationally from November to December to hit a record 54,000 cases.

2024 was a horror year for potentially deadly whooping cough with record figures nationally and a frightening surge in South Australia – and no end in sight to the epidemic.

Nationally, more than 54,000 cases were recorded as of mid-December, smashing the previous record of 38,748 cases in 2011.

This was a 30 per cent surge in just one month after the total topped 41,000 on November 8.

Federal Health Department figures show most cases this year have been in young people aged 10 to 14 years, followed by children aged 5 to 9 years.

Following a huge surge in the second half of the year, SA finished 2024 with about 1800 cases – up from just 142 cases in 2023.

It’s a 1170 per-cent increase.

In the previous two years the statewide number did not top 40 cases.

SA Health’s most recent data is for the year up to December 21 showing 1745 cases had been recorded.

In the seven weeks to December 21, five of the weeks recorded more than 100 cases, while the week to December 21 had 96 cases, indicating the infectious disease remains rampant.

The highest numbers of the disease were recorded in NSW, Victoria and Queensland where a baby died from the disease in November.

SA Health authorities have repeatedly urged people to get vaccinated including pregnant women.

The highly infectious disease is spread when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes small droplets into the air that 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.

SA chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said the best protection against whooping cough was vaccination.

South Australian chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

“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,” she said.

“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.”

Federal chief medical officer, Professor Anthony Lawler said: “Get vaccinated against whooping cough, particularly if you are pregnant or spending time with young children or babies this summer.

“Parents should always ensure their infants and children receive their whooping cough vaccinations on time and in line with the National Immunisation Program childhood schedule.”

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