Stay home call for whooping cough sufferers

A BENDIGO region doctor has issued simple advice in the face of rising pertussis (whooping cough) cases in Victoria – stay home if you have it.

Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit medical director Dr Naveen Tenneti said people should stay at home if they are sick and keep up to date with their vaccinations to help stop the condition’s spread.

“The Loddon Mallee region has seen 10 times the number of whooping cough cases in 2024 compared to last year,” Dr Tenneti said. “While we do tend to see population-wide increases in pertussis every few years, it’s critical we do what we can to protect those at highest risk.”

Dr Tenneti said the contagious respiratory condition can be very dangerous for babies less than six months old.

He said vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk and it’s strongly recommended for infants and pregnant women.

Symptoms of whooping cough include a blocked or runny nose, tiredness, mild fever and severe bouts of coughing, which are often followed by a whooping sound on inhalation.

In the first week of this month, chief health officer Dr Clare Looker issued a formal alert about rising case numbers.

Dr Looker said children aged nine to 12 years account for nearly 40 per cent of all notified cases so far this year. “All Australian states and territories have recorded increases in pertussis cases in 2024 compared to previous years,” Dr Looker said.

“Population-wide increases in pertussis typically occur every few years.

“The increasing number of pertussis infections seen in Victoria is a public health concern, as it has led to an increase in cases amongst the most vulnerable population – infants under the age of six months.”

Dr Looker said many infants who get pertussis catch it from older children or adults who may not even know they are infected.

She said the condition must be diagnosed and treated quickly, with antibiotics usually the first line of attack.