The number of whooping cough cases in the latest epidemic has surpassed the 1000 mark – with 135 in Canterbury.
By last Friday, 1009 cases of the highly contagious respiratory illness were reported nationwide according to figures from ESR (Environmental Science and Research).
Babies and the elderly are the most vulnerable to whooping cough with Māori and Pasifika particularly susceptible to the infection, Te Whatu Ora Health NZ’s national clinical director of protection Dr Susan Jack said.
Mid Canterbury Pasifika healthcare providers are urging people to have their babies vaccinated and for pregnant women to get immunised against the disease.
The Tangata Atumotu Trust is offering vaccination information and clinics, with its contact person Fifita Satui, saying people can get in touch with them to make an appointment or just drop in to the Ashburton office.
Around 50% of infants who catch whooping cough before the age of 12 months need hospitalisation and one or two-in-100 of those hospitalised die from the infection.
Three babies died from whooping cough, also known as pertussis, in 2023, Dr Jack said.
“The best protection for infants is for their mother to be vaccinated during pregnancy. The antenatal vaccination for pertussis is safe and free.
“Our last major outbreak of pertussis was in 2017, but they can last for months and potentially for a year or more, so this will be a marathon, not a sprint.”
A national epidemic was declared on November 22 by Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand when there were 263 cases reported in the four weeks to November 15. That number has more than tripled in two weeks to 1009.
By Julie Moffett
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