Whooping Cough is now widespread in the Nelson Tasman community. This disease is particularly dangerous for babies under one year old, as well as for people who are immune suppressed, or elderly.
If someone in the house is coughing, any child under one year old is at extreme risk. Seek advice from your GP or Practice Nurse
Your baby can catch whooping cough from YOU - (Immunity from having whooping cough or from previous vaccinations only lasts up to 10 years).
Whooping cough can be fatal especially for babies under 6 months
On time immunisation is the best protection – immunisation is free for your child at:
6 weeks,
3 months,
5 months,
4 years,
11 years
Boosters are required to maintain immunity.
How serious is Whooping Cough?
Around 7 out of 10 babies who catch pertussis before the age of 6 months require hospitalisation and one in 30 of those who are hospitalised die from pertussis infection.
Severe coughing can temporarily stop the oxygen supply to the brain (hypoxia). In 1 to 3 per thousand children, whooping cough leads to permanent brain damage, paralysis, deafness or blindness.
Secondary infections such as pneumonia and ear infections can occur. The disease is usually milder in adolescents and adults, consisting of a persistent cough similar to that found in other upper respiratory infections. From 1999 to 2004 there has been one death each year in New Zealand from pertussis disease.
Cases in Nelson Marlborough Public Health Service 1 August 2011 to 16 January 2012
August 14
September 37
October 49
November 98
December 230 (including 9 under investigation)
January 54 (to 16/01/12)
Media Release
20 January 2012
Whooping Cough Declining
The rates of whooping cough notifications have declined over the first two weeks of January in Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough but still remain well above usual.
Medical Officer of Health Jill Sherwood said, “This is great news, however we still need to be aware that there are cases in the community and if we are not vigilant in getting people treated this could once again increase when children go back to school.
From January 1 to 16 there had been 54 cases notified to the Public Health Service. Whereas for the month of December there were 230 cases notified to Public Health, with notifications reaching up to 25 cases on some days.
She said symptoms usually include a cough lasting longer than two weeks with spasms of coughing that may end in vomiting or difficulty breathing, or a cough with a whooping sound.
“Complications can include pneumonia, and ear infections,” said Dr Sherwood.
“This disease is especially serious for babies who have not yet been immunised, however babies are not protected until they have received their three initial vaccinations, due at six weeks, three months and five months,” said Dr Sherwood.
Adults should be aware that immunity from having the illness or vaccination only lasts for around 10 years, so they may not be immune and could pass this on to their children. It is important that adults don’t cough around babies and children.
“Vaccination for parents can also be arranged through your GP or practice nurse but is not funded.
She said women in the later stages of pregnancy should avoid close contact with people who are coughing to avoid becoming infected and passing whooping cough onto their newborn baby.
“Whooping cough is a preventable disease. If babies and young children are vaccinated, they can reduce their chance of this serious and sometimes life threatening illness,” Dr Sherwood said.
The vaccination is free for children and available from your GP or Practice Nurse. Babies should receive their immunisation at six weeks, three months and five months.
Children should have booster doses at four and eleven years. These vaccinations give babies and children the best protection from whooping cough.
Public Health resources had been diverted to work on the whooping cough outbreak. Extra Public Health nurses, administration staff, and health protection officers were required to work with the Medical Officer of Health to combat the disease spread by following up cases and their contacts.
ENDS
The provisional number of cases for 2011 is 449 compared to 27 cases for all of 2010.
This is made up of 428 from Aug 1 to Dec 31 (see below) plus 21 from earlier in the year.
1 December 2011
Whooping Cough Warning
The Medical Officer of Health has warned that if someone in a Nelson Tasman household has a persistent cough, and there is a baby in the house under one year old, it is important to contact a doctor immediately.
Whooping Cough is now widespread in the Nelson Tasman community. This disease is particularly dangerous for babies under one year old, as well as for people who are immune suppressed, or elderly.
During November Nelson Tasman had 77 cases with a further 22 under investigation. In Marlborough there were 8 cases with 2 under investigation.
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Health Concerns
Generally if you have health concerns the first health professional to see is your General Practitioner (GP).
The information contained in this section tells you how to enrol with a GP practice or medical centre, and has links to Primary Health Organisation's websites where GP fees and contact details are available. The fees displayed are for PHO enrolled patients. If you are not enrolled with the practice there will be a different fee schedule.
Details of the district's After Hours GP services are also in this section.
In an emergency dial 111 for an ambulance.
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