Whooping cough cases on the rise in the Goldfields

WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is urging Goldfields parents to make sure their children’s whooping cough vaccinations are up to date, following a rise in cases across the region.

A highly infectious disease transmitted when an infected person sneezes or coughs, whooping cough – also known as pertussis – can be life threatening for babies and young children.

So far this year there have been 14 recorded cases in the Goldfields – including two infants.

Newborn infants are at greater risk of severe illness from whooping cough as they are too young to receive the childhood immunisation.

Public Health Clinical Nurse Manager Claire Woollacott said that the best way to protect newborns is for pregnant women to receive the vaccination, ideally between 28-32 weeks gestation. 

“Newborn babies are most at risk of severe disease from whopping cough and it’s really important that they are protected.  

“The protection from the vaccine is passed from mother to newborn, protecting the baby until the time of their first vaccinations at two months,” Ms Woollacott said.

“Parents should make sure that children are up to date with whooping cough vaccinations, including the booster at four years of age, and the school-based booster in year seven.”

Vaccinations for children and pregnant women can be accessed from Population Health and Community Health sites, GPs and Aboriginal Medical Services and some participating pharmacies.

“Anyone experiencing whooping cough symptoms – including gasping breaths between bouts of coughing – should see their doctor about treatments such as antibiotics as soon as possible.”