Whooping cough cases soar among primary school kids in Vic, sparking fears for bubs

Cases of whooping cough are soaring among primary school students in Victoria, sparking fears for babies who can’t be fully immunised against the potentially deadly virus.

Cases of a highly contagious respiratory virus that can be life-threatening for babies have increased dramatically in Victoria, prompting an urgent warning for parents.

State authorities revealed whooping cough was spreading quickly on Thursday, with Victoria recording four times as many whooping cough cases in the first seven months of 2024 than all of last year.

It comes at the same time authorities report supply issues with two key liquid antibiotics – azithromycin and clarithromycin – used to treat whooping cough in children.

Acting chief health officer Dr Evelyn Wong issued an alert on Thursday, warning the sharp increase was a “public health concern” as it heightened the risk of transmission to infants under six months.

There has been a spike in whooping cough cases in Victoria, sparking a warning for parents.

She said cases were particularly rising in primary school aged children, with children aged 10 to 12 representing a third of all whooping cough, also known as pertussis, patients.

“Babies less than six months of age are at greatest risk of severe disease, hospitalisation, and death,” she said in the alert.

“These infants are too young to be fully immunised.

“Many babies who get pertussis catch it from older children and adults who might not even know they are infected.”

She said people should seek medical attention if they or their children have a severe cough, a “characteristic ‘whooping’ sound when they breathe in”, vomit after bouts of coughing or stop breathing for periods of time and go blue.

“Pertussis usually begins with cold-like symptoms, such as a dry cough, tiredness, runny nose, and low-grade fever, which may last for one to two weeks,” she said.

“A more definitive cough may then develop, lasting for 10 weeks or more.

“Babies under six months may have apnoea (pauses in breathing), cyanosis (turning blue), feeding difficulties, gasping, or choking instead of a cough.”

Whooping cough cases are rising in primary school kids.

She urged pregnant women (between 20 and 32 weeks gestation) to get vaccinated, plus any household contacts or carers of young babies whose last immunisation was more than 10 years ago.

“Vaccination during pregnancy reduces the risk of pertussis in young infants by 90 per cent,” she said.

The vaccine is free for pregnant woman, children, teenagers and eligible, vulnerable citizens who missed out on the childhood and adolescent program.

She encouraged health professionals to check their local pharmacy’s supply of oral antibiotics liquids, and prescribe tablets (which can then be crushed) as an alternative if needed.

“Prompt diagnosis, isolation and treatment can help reduce transmission and protect vulnerable infants,” she said.

Dr Wong said cases typically peak every few years and NSW and Queensland had also seen numbers rise.

Originally published as Whooping cough cases soar among primary school kids in Vic, sparking fears for bubs