Whooping cough hits Coffs Coast | Coffs Coast News | Local News in Coffs Coast

AS the world battles the swine flu pandemic, there's something else the Coffs Coast residents need to be vigilant about: a whooping cough epidemic.

So far this year, there have been 549 cases of whooping cough reported in the North Coast Area Health Service, compared with just 122 in the same time last year, and 37 in 2007.

One baby has died, two others have been flown to Brisbane for intensive care, and a number of others hospitalised.

NCAHS acting director of public health, Greg Bell, said the situation is serious.

“Whooping cough can be very infectious and can easily be spread among people who have close contact. Many babies with whooping cough catch it from a parent or close family member,” he said.

Medical director of the Mid North Coast Division of General Practice, Helena Johnson, said the epidemic had the potential to slow down - if people get vaccinated.

“It's certainly the worst it's been in a long time, but we do tend to have these small epidemics from time to time,” she said.

“We know that people's immunity weakens after the age of about 12, so we strongly suggest that people between the age of 15 and 17 get a vaccine.

“The thing is that adults very rarely know they have whooping cough.

“They don't get the whoop like children, but they may be coughing and think they've got a bit of a cold or the flu - you just don't know with adults.

“If you had a vaccine as a child it's worn off by now. If you're around children, work with children, you should really get a booster.

“That will mean you're not likely to catch or pass on the disease.”