Whooping Cough Cases Surge in South Australia
South Australia is experiencing a significant surge in whooping cough cases, with over 10 times the number of cases reported in 2024 compared to the same period last year. This increase is part of a national trend, with Australia recording over 25,000 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) so far this year.
Professor Nicola Spurrier, South Australia's Chief Public Health Officer, confirmed the state is facing a whooping cough wave, with 492 cases reported in 2024 – the highest number in six years. "Week on week the numbers keep increasing," she said.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness that starts with cold and flu-like symptoms before progressing to severe coughing fits, often accompanied by a distinctive "whooping" sound. It can be particularly dangerous for young infants, who are most vulnerable to complications.
Professor Spurrier explained that whooping cough tends to occur in cycles every three to four years. The last significant wave in South Australia was in 2016/2017, followed by a smaller wave in 2020. She believes the low number of cases in 2020 was likely due to widespread mask-wearing and other COVID-19 precautions.
Vaccination is crucial in protecting against whooping cough, especially for vulnerable babies. Professor Spurrier urges pregnant women and those with young infants to get a whooping cough booster shot. She also emphasizes the importance of early identification and treatment with antibiotics for those who develop symptoms.
"If in the next couple of weeks you get a cold, and you start to get a cough unlike a cough you've ever had before, please go to your doctor and get a PCR test," she advises. "If it's whooping cough, you can get on and get it treated."
While the current wave is concerning, Professor Spurrier remains optimistic. "What I do know is that if we use vaccine ... plus if people are aware that we're having a wave and get in and get diagnosed and treated quickly, that we can dampen down the impact across our community.