Parents warned as whooping cough surges in SA
Parents have been issued a stark warning after a huge ten-fold surge in cases of potentially deadly whooping cough in South Australia.
SA News
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Whooping cough has surged to a six-year high, with 492 cases recorded so far this year – a tenfold increase compared to 48 cases at the same time last year, and just 19 this time in 2022.
Pertussis, known as whooping cough, is a serious lung infection caused by bacteria.
It is also very contagious, causing coughing fits often immediately followed by a deep breath in, resulting in the typical “whoop.”
The potentially deadly disease is most serious for babies and authorities are urging parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated.
SA Health warns an epidemic occurs every three to four years, making one due — the last time cases hit triple figures by September was in 2020 when it was 279 at this time of the year and went on to record 290 for the entire year, after 2019 recorded 309 cases.
SA Health chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said whooping cough can be severe and even life threatening in babies and young children.
“That’s why it’s important for all pregnant women to get their free vaccination to help protect their baby, and for families to ensure their little ones are up to date with their childhood immunisations,” she said.
“Particularly with the current wave of whooping cough in South Australia, anyone who will be spending time around infants less than 6 months of age should consider getting themselves a booster.
“Many people who have had the vaccine may not realise that immunity wanes over time. If you are unsure of your immunisation status, speak to your doctor about getting a booster shot, particularly if you are the parent, grandparent or loved one of an infant, or you work with young children.
“Simple things like covering your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, disposing of used tissues, and washing your hands can help reduce the spread of infection. Please stay home from work or school if you are sick, to prevent the spread of illnesses like whooping cough to others.”
The disease nicknamed “the 100 day cough” is spread when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes small droplets containing infectious agents which may be breathed in by those nearby.
Infection may be spread by contact with hands, tissues and other articles soiled by infected nose and throat discharges.
It is highly infectious, spreading to 70 to 100 per cent of susceptible household contacts and 50 to 80 per cent of susceptible school contacts.
The whooping cough vaccine, in combination with other vaccines, is funded at six weeks of age, four months and six months with boosters at 18 months, four years and in adolescence. Whooping cough vaccine is recommended from 20 weeks of pregnancy.
The last time the state experienced a whooping cough wave was in 2016 and 2017, with more than 1500 cases reported in each of these years.
The illness often begins with cold-like symptoms such as runny nose, sore watery red eyes, low-grade fever and general unwellness but many not be present in all people.
After three to seven days, a dry cough develops which can last many weeks or month, with prolonged coughing fits followed by a deep breath.
Antibiotics in the early stages of infection may prevent or lessen the severity of symptoms.
Whooping cough kills about 250,000 children worldwide every year and many surviving children are left with brain damage.
SA Health warns that whooping cough antibody levels reduce over time so antibodies transferred from the mother to the baby from a vaccination before pregnancy may not give adequate protection against whooping cough for the baby.
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.
Originally published as Parents warned as whooping cough surges in SA
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