Whooping cough health warning

THE Department of Health has recorded 27 cases of whooping cough in Greater Bendigo this year.Department spokesman Bram Alexander said nine cases were recorded in the same period last year and only one in 2009.Ninety-nine cases have been reported so far this year in the Loddon Mallee region, compared with 35 in the same period in 2010.Mr Alexander said the rise was proportional across the state.“Immunisation rates are not necessarily lagging in Victoria,” Mr Alexander said.“The issue is that the vaccine is not life-long, so what is probably occurring is that young adults are losing their protection.”In adults, whooping cough is milder, but it can kill an infant, and adults could unwittingly pass the infection to unprotected children, he said.Mr Alexander said free vaccinations are available for new parents. He advised anyone in contact with infants or children to check their vaccinations.Kristian Reade spent more than two days at Bendigo Hospital before he was transferred to Melbourne, where he died, his family said.Bendigo Health chief medical officer Dr Andre Nel said hospital staff could not comment on specific cases because of confidentiality.“However, we would like to offer our sympathy to the family for their sad loss,’’ he said.“Bendigo Health would like to assure the community that we take strict precautions in the light of the present whooping cough epidemic.“Parents and grandparents who are primary carers are offered free vaccinations for whooping cough under a Department of Health initiative.’’Dr Nel said Bendigo Health had vaccinated about 700 parents and grandparents through the program. ‘’We are very aware of the high instance of whooping cough in the community and as such encourage all staff to be vaccinated as well,’’ he said.“In the case of whooping cough or any infectious disease, a high level of precaution is taken.“I would encourage everyone who is in regular contact with young babies to be immunised immediately against whooping cough and babies should be immunised at two, four and six months, under the guidelines. ‘’Immunisations are available through your local GP or through local council immunisation sessions.”