A SPIKE in the number of patients presenting with whooping cough in Goulburn this spring has local doctors advising people to check whether their vaccinations are up-to-date.
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NSW Health has confirmed 22 reported cases of whooping cough (pertussis) cases in the Goulburn local government area since September 1.
This compares to 10 cases for the same period last year.
Director of Murrumbidgee and Southern NSW Local Health Districts’ public health unit Tracey Oakman said 14 of the cases were in the school-aged group from a number of different campuses.
Ms Oakman did not believe the spike in rates of whooping cough was caused by too few children being vaccinated by parents.”
The vaccination rate for children aged 12 months in Goulburn is 94.2 per cent and for 60 months it is 93.3 per cent, “which are quite good,” she said.
“It is important that children are vaccinated on time, however, to reduce the risk.
Pregnant women are also being offered the Boostrix vaccine for free from 28 weeks pregnant, as this will protect parent and baby while it is too young to be vaccinated.”
Ms Oakman said the current vaccination schedule for pertussis was at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months and then at four years. School children are also offered it in Year 7.
Dr Natalia Pecker said an increasing number of people were coming to her surgery at Argyle Medical Clinic with whooping cough symptoms.
“Now is the time to act,” Dr Pecker said.
“The most vulnerable are newborn babies, toddlers, elderly, pregnant women, and people with a compromised immune system.
“Whooping cough (pertussis) is a very contagious respiratory infection, caused by bacterium Bordetella Pertussis.
It is responsible for 355,000 deaths worldwide every year.
One in 200 babies who contract whooping cough will die.”
She said the symptoms of whooping cough included a characteristic cough, which is often followed by the “whooping sound” on inhalation.
“If people suspect they have whooping cough, they should contact their GP and inform reception about their suspicion,” she said.
“Appointments should be organised promptly and the isolation of patient should be provided while waiting for appointment.
A respiratory mask is advised to be worn to minimise chance of transmission.
The best way to prevent this deadly infection is immunisation.”
Dr Sanaur Khan of Goldsmith St Surgery also said it was the “season for whooping cough” and he advised people to check whether they had been immunised against the disease.
“My advice is for infants and the elderly to get vaccinated, if they have not been already. If you are not vaccinated for it, then get vaccinated ,” Dr Khan said.
“Also, if there is any history of contact with whooping cough, everyone in the house should have a course of antibiotics.”
Letters sent home from local schools to parents last week confirmed local cases of whooping cough.
The letter from the Murrumbidgee and Southern NSW Local Health Districts public health unit advised parents to watch for symptoms and said children who have whooping cough should not attend school until they have completed a fiveday course of the recommended antibiotics.
“If antibiotics cannot be taken, then they need to stay away for three weeks after the onset of the cough,” the letter said.
“Whooping cough may start as a dry tickle or dry cough and progress to cause bouts of coughing, and sometimes breathing difficulties and vomiting.
It can be a very serious infection in small children.”
“If your child has a cough and whooping cough is suspected, please do not send your child to school until a diagnosis can be determined.”
A whooping cough fact sheet is online at health.nsw.gov.au/PublicHealth/Infectious/whoopingcough/index.asp or call the Infectious Disease Surveillance Officer at the public health unit on 4824 1840.
