Melbourne kids exposed to whooping cough

Dozens of children who visited two Melbourne health centres may have been exposed to whooping cough after a health worker was diagnosed with the bacterial disease.

Melbourne City Council say up to 46 children were in contact with the health worker at the Carlton and North Melbourne maternal and child health centres.

Of the 46 children, 15 were not immunised as they were too young.

Babies are at greatest risk of contracting whooping cough until they have had at least two doses of the vaccine at four months.

The council was notified on August 13 and contacted parents to warn them, and so far no case of whooping cough has been confirmed in any of the children.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, causes uncontrolled coughing and vomiting which can last for several months.

The council says the worker was appropriately immunised against the disease.

"Boosters are required for adults every 10 years. The staff member was appropriately immunised and last received a booster five years ago," a City of Melbourne spokesperson said.