South Australia is grappling with a concerning surge in whooping cough cases, prompting health authorities to issue urgent advice for protecting newborns, who are too young to be vaccinated.
The number of cases of the highly contagious disease in SA has climbed eight times higher compared to the same period last year, even before the onset of winter.
It is potentially deadly for vulnerable people, particularly infants.
“You can just imagine a tiny little baby that can’t stop coughing, can’t feed, and can’t get oxygen in,” Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said.
“And the main risk for babies is not getting enough oxygen to the brain.”
A total of 121 cases have been reported in South Australia this year, compared to 15 during the same period in 2023.
Professor Spurrier said whooping cough “epidemics” typically occurred every three to four years.
However, South Australia’s last major outbreak was eight years ago in 2016.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the cyclical pattern and weakened immune systems.
Griffith University Director of Infectious Diseases and Immunology Nigel McMillan said respiratory viruses were “coming back with a vengeance” because people weren’t exposed to them during the lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said vaccination against whooping cough was critical, particularly for families with newborns, with babies often catching the illness from siblings.
Authorities are strongly advising families to ensure that all children are up to date with their immunizations, including the new booster shot introduced for 18-month-olds during the 2016 whooping cough epidemic.
Additionally, individuals over 50, pregnant women, and anyone planning to visit a newborn are urged to get vaccinated.
This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.
