Whooping cough cases rise by 500% on northern beaches

HEALTH officials say cases of whooping cough have risen 500 per cent in the last year, but believe the number of reported incidents will decrease in 2016.

• Cromer mum warns parents to be vigilant in whooping cough outbreak
• Whooping cough on the rise on northern beaches

INCIDENTS of whooping cough have increased by more than 500 per cent in the last year, according to the North Sydney Local Health District, which includes the northern beaches.

There were 2356 cases ­reported on the northern beaches, North Sydney, ­Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby and Ryde.

That’s up from 434 in 2014 and 316 in 2013.

Cromer mum Justene Gordon with her three children Owen, 9, Torah, 2, and Heath, 7, who all contracted whooping cough last year, despite being immunised. Picture: Troy Snook

A spokesman from the health district said the monthly count of cases ­appears to have peaked in ­November last year.

“We expect the number of cases to continue to decrease,” he said.

But one northern beaches doctor warned there could be a rise now children were back at school.

Dr Kiril Goring-Siebert, from The Cottage Surgery in Manly Vale, said when children mix in a confined area, the likelihood of infections spreading was higher.

“I would not be surprised to see an increase in cases,” he warned.

Greg and Catherine Hughes whose baby Riley died from whooping cough have been successfully campaigning to encourage parents to vaccinate againt the infectious disease. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

Dr Goring-Siebert said there had been four incidents of whooping cough, which is “very contagious”, in his practice in the last week alone.

“We are seeing quite a lot of cases and are keeping a close eye out for patients showing symptoms.”

Already this week parents at one Manly primary school, have been informed of a new case of the disease among its pupils.

Pregnant women and new fathers are advised to have a whooping cough booster.