Whooping cough cases surge to seven-year high in South Australia
South Australia is battling a severe resurgence of whooping cough, with cases tripling in recent months and reaching a seven-year high.
Health authorities have issued warnings that the current wave is yet to reach its peak.
The state has recorded more than 1300 cases this year, including 117 in the past week alone.
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South Australia is battling a severe resurgence of whooping cough, with cases tripling in recent months and reaching a seven-year high. Nine
Infants under six months are particularly vulnerable because they are too young to receive vaccinations.
However, a concerning trend has emerged, with children aged 10 to 14 increasingly becoming unwell and accounting for 40 per cent of infections.
"That's primary school-aged children, so it's very likely that is one of the groups that is making this wave, pushing this wave along," SA Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said.
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A concerning trend has emerged, with children aged 10 to 14 increasingly becoming unwell and accounting for 40 per cent of infections. Nine
The rise in cases in that age group has coincided with a drop in whooping cough vaccination rates in recent years.
Anyone who is pregnant or spends considerable time with infants is encouraged to get a booster vaccination to help minimise the spread.
Over 40,000 cases of whooping cough have been reported across Australia this year.
This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.
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