The Bay of Plenty District Health Board is advising parents to immunise their children against whooping cough as the number of cases in the region continues to rise.

Following an outbreak in the South Island last year, BOP DHB Medical Officer of Health Dr Neil de Wet is warning parents as the number of incidents in the Bay of Plenty has been steadily increasing since the start of the year.

There have been 32 reported cases of whooping cough in the BOP since January.

'Whooping cough tends to occur in outbreaks every three to four years, and our rise in cases could be the beginning of a local outbreak,” says Neil.

Neil says whooping cough is a highly infectious disease caused by bacteria, which is spread through coughing and sneezing, similar to colds and influenza.

Symptoms start with a runny nose, fever and dry cough.

Coughing then intensified in the following days of onset, developing into coughing attacks and sometimes vomiting.

Neil says the ‘whoop' sound occurs as a baby or adult draws a breath after a long coughing attack.

He says babies under one year are most at risk of serious complications from the illness.
'Whooping cough is a preventable disease. Immunisation for whooping cough is part of the routine childhood immunisation programme and we strongly recommend parents get their babies immunised on time.”

Whooping cough immunisations are given at six weeks, three months and five months with boosters at four years, and 11 years of age.

'On-time immunisation gives babies the best protection. For parents of older children it's a good reminder to check they're up to date with immunisations. It's never too late to catch up.”
Neil says people working with young children should be especially vigilant.

'If you're concerned about a cough stay away from babies and young children and talk to your doctor about whether it could be whooping cough.”