24/12/2024
Whooping Cough in the Whanganui Region
From Whanganui Regional Health Network:
What can you do these holidays to safeguard your loved ones against whooping cough (pertussis)?
Let’s start by showing aroha/love for our whānau/family and friends, by staying home when we are unwell and only visiting when we are better. Your gift of ‘thoughtfulness’ for the health and wellbeing of your loved ones will be greatly appreciated by all.
Whooping cough is not under control in Aotearoa New Zealand and Health New Zealand declared an epidemic in November 2024. Cases have spread across the motu/region and numbers are among the highest recorded since early 2019. The holiday period is likely to increase the spread and numbers unless we all play our part.
We can all help stop the spread of whooping cough by doing all the things we know and do so well.
• Hapū māmā/pregnant women can get a FREE vaccination from 16 weeks (this provides >90% protection for newborn pēpi/babies until they get their first immunisation at 6 weeks)
• If you are unwell (even just a sniffle) DON’T visit whānau and friends until you are better
• Show your aroha by sending gifts or FaceTime your mokopuna/grandchild and whānau, so that you have some form of contact when you are unwell
• Washing your hands frequently
• Cover nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
• When you are sick stay home away from people, public places, work and school
• Put a mask on if you have cold symptoms or are out in public places
• In crowded areas, practice keeping your distance to keep yourself and others well
• Whānau close to pēpi can also have whooping cough immunisation to safeguard pēpi who are too young for their first immunisation (please check with your health provider as there may be a cost)
Parents, siblings, grandparents and whānau can easily pass whooping cough on. We can carry the whooping cough bug in our nose and not even know we have it, but pass it on to those unprotected and vulnerable, like pēpi, younger tamariki/children and our kaumatua/older adults.
Whooping cough can cause very serious illness especially in pēpi too young for their first immunisation and it can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia or brain damage. Around 50% of pēpi who catch whooping cough before the age of 12 months need hospitalisation and 1 or 2 in 100 of those hospitalised die from the infection. Older tamariki usually get a less severe disease, but the cough and vomiting can be very distressing. Adults may just have an irritating cough that goes on much longer than usual. There is no medicine to stop the cough once it has started.
Hapū māmā getting immunised when they are pregnant will protect pēpi until they can have their first immunisations at six weeks old. The antenatal vaccination for pertussis is safe and free – this is most effective when given from 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Prevention is the best treatment, however, be vigilant and watch out for the signs and symptoms of whooping cough these holidays.
People are most infectious in the early stages, with the first signs of whooping cough normally appearing around one week after infection. The symptoms are similar to a cold, with;
• a blocked or runny nose
• sneezing
• a mild fever
• ongoing spasms of coughing.
After about one week, symptoms include;
• uncontrollable coughing fits that last for a few minutes – sometimes people will make a 'whoop' sound when gasping for breath between coughs, and while this is a common sign of whooping cough it’s not always heard
• coughing that leads to vomiting
• a thick mucus that can make you vomit or choke.
Keeping on top of whooping cough is a lifelong commitment. For those who choose to have vaccinations they are needed at ages 6 weeks, 3 months and 5 months, and again at 4 years. A further booster is given at age 11 years (school year 7) and for adults one free booster from age 45 (if they have not had four previous tetanus doses) and one free from age 65. Anyone who has missed their vaccinations, especially pēpi and tamariki, it is not too late to catch up.
If you are not sure you are eligible or want to enquire about getting a vaccination, please contact your health provider or if you have any questions or concerns, phone Healthline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0800 611 116. For up-to-date information on healthcare providers and services offered go to Healthpoint.
