Several cases of whooping cough have been confirmed in children from the Dungog and Clarence Town areas.
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Dr Kat Taylor, a Hunter New England Health physician said while the local outbreak was not particularly unusual, it was a reminder for people to keep vigilant as the contagious bacterial disease can have severe implications.
The disease, also known as pertussis, can be life threatening for babies.
“Whooping cough has been on the rise generally in NSW for the past 10 years,” she said.
“There is always whooping cough about in the community and at times there is a bit more than others.
“The year to date figures for the Lower Hunter area show there have been 59 cases notified which is slightly up, with 18 more cases than this time last year.”
Whooping cough is a notifiable condition which means general practitioners, schools and day care centres must notify the Public Health Unit when a case is diagnosed.
“It’s a reminder to check your vaccination status particularly if you are working with children and keep coughing children away from school or daycare,” said Dr Taylor.
Children are fully protected after having three doses of the pertussis vaccine – at six weeks, four months and six months.
Dr Taylor said it was strongly recommended that women get a booster with each pregnancy and health care and childcare workers every 10 years.
Whooping cough starts like a cold with a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, a mild fever and an occasional cough.
The cough gets worse and severe bouts of uncontrollable coughing develop.
Coughing bouts can be followed by vomiting, choking or taking a big gasping breath which causes a “whooping” sound.
The cough can last for many weeks and can be worse at night.
In adults the disease can present as a respiratory infection.
