Whooping cough cases surge across Geelong

Cases of an illness that poses particular risk to babies have surged in Geelong. This is how to protect your family.

Alex Hamilton and her daughter Shiloh Waddell, who recently had whooping cough. Picture: Brad Fleet

Cases of a highly contagious respiratory infection that is particularly dangerous for young babies have surged in Geelong.

Greater Geelong has already recorded more than 100 cases of pertussis – commonly known as whooping cough – so far this year.

The area recorded 20 cases for the whole of 2023 and 18 the year prior, according to health department data.

Barwon South West Public Health Unit public health physician Akhtar Hussain said increases in pertussis typically occurred every few years.

“Whenever this occurs, we are concerned as it indicates an increasing risk of transmission to the most vulnerable population – infants under the age of six months,” Dr Hussain said.

“Whooping cough is extremely contagious.

“Anyone can get pertussis, however, babies less than six months of age are at greatest risk of severe disease, hospitalisation, and death.”

Highton’s Shiloh Waddell missed a week of school and then spent the winter holidays stuck at home due to whooping cough.

Mum Alex Hamilton said the 11-year-old had a slight cough for a couple of weeks, which eventually worsened, with Shiloh also developing fevers.

Shiloh, who was vaccinated as a young child, tested positive for whooping cough, which Ms Hamilton said was “quite a surprise”.

“It’s horrible when they’re suffering and her cough was keeping her up all night,” Ms Hamilton said.

“It was awful, not being able to go out and do any anything and see her friends.”

Ms Hamilton urged families to be aware whooping cough was going around, and be mindful ofits potentially catastrophic effects on babies.

GP Anne Stephenson, clinical spokeswoman for the Western Victoria Primary Health Network, said doctors were concerned by rising cases in Victoria.

Dr Anne Stephenson. Picture: Ginger + Mint

“The main group being infected appears to be schoolchildren,” she said.

She said young children received a total of five vaccination doses between the ages of six weeks and four years of age.

“Vaccinating is critical, because a mother’s antibodies are passed on to a newborn,” she said.

“It’s important that pregnant women are vaccinated to protect babies until they are old enough to be vaccinated.

“Boosters should be given to older children around 12 to 13 years and adults if they haven’t received a dose in the past 10 years.”

Dr Stephenson said whooping cough symptoms were similar to a cold, including a mild fever, cough and running nose, and usually appeared seven to 10 days after infection.

“As the illness develops, these symptoms can turn into a serious cough, making breathing difficult and inhaling can produce a “whooping” sound,” she said.

“It can lead to vomiting and can progress to pneumonia.”

Dr Hussain said while vaccinated people could still contract pertussis due to waning immunity, their symptoms were likely to be less severe and they were less likely to transmit the infection.

Originally published as Whooping cough cases surge across Geelong