Spike in Sunshine Coast whooping cough cases

A Sunshine Coast doctor has urged parents to get their children vaccinated for whooping cough as cases of the infection in the region rise.

Parents urged to vaccinate their children against whooping cough amid spike cases.

Parents are being urged to get their children vaccinated for whooping cough as reported cases of the potentially deadly infection spike in the Sunshine Coast.

A Sunshine Coast Health’s Public Health Unit spokeswoman said they have noticed a concerning rise in Pertussis, widely known as whooping cough, cases with the region, recording more than half of the yearly average of cases in under two months.

Since the beginning of the year 27 cases of whooping cough have been reported in the Sunshine Coast region among school-aged children and adults.

The five-year average for cases of the bacterial infection is 52 per year.

Dr Nicolas Smoll warns parents of a whooping cough spike in the Sunshine Coast.

Sunshine Coast Public Health Physician Dr Nicolas Smoll said people infected with whooping cough were infectious for a lengthy period of time and encouraged parents concerned about a cough to get their child tested as soon as possible.

“Early diagnosis means we can treat it with antibiotics and reduce the period of time the person is spreading the illness,” Dr Smoll said.

Dr Smoll said the “violent cough” affected unvaccinated children more seriously than those who were vaccinated.

“We are hoping everyone gets vaccinated for this if they are not vaccinated at the moment,” Dr Smoll said.

Dr Smoll said parents in the region can expect a letter detailing the symptoms of whooping cough in the next three days.

The Sunshine Coast Health spokeswoman said the whooping cough vaccine was included in the childhood immunisation schedule.

“This vaccination has reduced the rate of illness and hospitalisation from whooping cough in Australia,” she said.

“Locals can book an appointment with their GP to ensure their vaccinations are up to date.”

Originally published as Spike in Sunshine Coast whooping cough cases