Whooping cough outbreak in Cairns region hits records cases

A whooping cough outbreak in Cairns has hit a record number of cases, already six times the yearly average, causing health experts to issue a warning.

A whooping cough outbreak in Cairns has hit a record number of cases, already six times the yearly average, causing the public health unit to issue a warning.

There have been more than 60 cases detected in the Cairns region this year, compared to a yearly average of 11.

Local health experts are expecting that figure to rise as well with school holidays and the peak tourism season approaching.

It comes just two weeks after a health alert was issued warning families of a spike in cases, following a number of children at a northern beaches primary school reportedly contracting the illness.

Tropical Public Health Services acting director Dr Annie Preston-Thomas. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Tropical Public Health Services acting director Dr Annie Preston-Thomas said whooping cough was a highly infectious illness that particularly impacted babies.

“With our peak tourism season about to start in the Far North, this is particularly worrisome as the disease is likely to spread further in our schools and childcare centres,” she said.

“Parents should be on the lookout for symptoms and see a doctor if they are concerned.

“Our priority is to protect children under six months, as whooping cough can be much more severe in babies as they are not fully vaccinated yet.

“Hospitalisation and deaths due to whooping cough mainly occur in babies less than six months of age.

“Complications from whooping cough in babies can include pneumonia and seizures.”

Symptoms include a persistent cough that may occur in bouts, often with a breathless “whoop” at the end, Dr Preston-Thomas said.

Whooping cough is spread by an infected person coughing or sneezing.

“Someone with whooping cough is very infectious for the first three weeks of their illness or until they have received a course of antibiotics, and they could pass the illness on to an infant or baby at home,” she said.

“If your child develops a troublesome and persistent cough, take them to your doctor promptly (even if they are fully immunised) and mention if they have had contact with someone with whooping cough.”

Dr Preston-Thomas said many people recently diagnosed with the illness had delayed seeking treatment.

She said vaccination was the most effective way to reduce the risk of severe illness and said it was “vital” for infectious people to stay home and isolate.

“For adults and adolescents, whooping cough may only cause a persistent cough – but for babies it can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening health issues,” Dr Preston-Thomas said.

Originally published as Whooping cough outbreak in Cairns region hits records cases