Protect your babies: Health authority warns of a whooping cough outbreak in region

Western New South Wales Local Health District (WNSWLHD) said there is a chance of an outbreak of whooping cough in the region. The alert is in place despite more than 96 per cent of infants having been vaccinated against the disease in the local health district. The WNSLHD provides health services in areas including the Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo local government councils. A WNSLHD public health spokesperson said people suspected of whooping cough should stay home and keep away from small babies until cleared by a test or they have completed a five-day antibiotics course. “People in close contact with newborns and infants, such as grandparents, partners and close family members, should ensure they have had a whooping cough vaccination in the previous 10 years,” the spokesperson said. “The aim of whooping cough control is to protect infants, who are at highest risk of severe disease or death if they contract whooping cough.” Read also: Dont want payroll taxes, Central West businesses unhappy with reforms Protecting children, elderly absolutely vital: Support groups The WNSLHD reminds the community that all pregnant women, infants and children should be vaccinated. “The infection can occur even in fully-vaccinated children. Older children may just have a cough that is persistent and may be worse at night,” the spokesperson said. “Whooping cough starts like a cold and progresses to bouts of coughing that can last for many weeks.” The cases of whooping cough have been on the rise in the region since August. A total of 19 cases were reported in October and 21 in November, bringing the annual total to 90. The WNSLHD warned whooping cough is a highly infectious disease and its outbreak is difficult to control. Advice from the WNSLHD:

Western New South Wales Local Health District (WNSWLHD) said there is a chance of an outbreak of whooping cough in the region.

The alert is in place despite more than 96 per cent of infants having been vaccinated against the disease in the local health district.

The WNSLHD provides health services in areas including the Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo local government councils.

A WNSLHD public health spokesperson said people suspected of whooping cough should stay home and keep away from small babies until cleared by a test or they have completed a five-day antibiotics course.

“People in close contact with newborns and infants, such as grandparents, partners and close family members, should ensure they have had a whooping cough vaccination in the previous 10 years,” the spokesperson said.

“The aim of whooping cough control is to protect infants, who are at highest risk of severe disease or death if they contract whooping cough.”

Read also:

The WNSLHD reminds the community that all pregnant women, infants and children should be vaccinated.

“The infection can occur even in fully-vaccinated children. Older children may just have a cough that is persistent and may be worse at night,” the spokesperson said.

“Whooping cough starts like a cold and progresses to bouts of coughing that can last for many weeks.”

The cases of whooping cough have been on the rise in the region since August.

A total of 19 cases were reported in October and 21 in November, bringing the annual total to 90.

The WNSLHD warned whooping cough is a highly infectious disease and its outbreak is difficult to control.

Advice from the WNSLHD:

1. Identify symptoms: See your GP early and follow their treatment advice; after five days of treatment with appropriate antibiotics people with whooping cough are no longer infectious but without proper treatment they will remain infectious for 21 days
2. Protect babies, older children and adults: Timely vaccination of infants, pre-school children, adolescents and adults according to the recommended schedule is essential; and vaccination of pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy (preferably at 28 weeks) protects very young babies, who are the most vulnerable to severe illness and death from whooping cough
3. Prevent spread: Minimise the spread of whooping cough or other infectious conditions by staying away from child care centres, schools and work when sick; and by practicing good personal hygiene including covering mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, and regular hand washing.

This story Protect your babies: Health authority warns of a whooping cough outbreak in region first appeared on Western Advocate.

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