Seven babies seen for whooping cough in 2017

The number of people with whooping cough increased across the Bay of Plenty last year. Photo/file

In the first seven weeks of 2017 there have been seven cases of whooping cough in the Bay of Plenty, two of which were babies.

"We're not off to a good start," Toi Te Ora Public Health Service medical officer of health Dr Phil Shoemack said.

Whooping cough was a highly infectious illness caused by bacteria spread by coughing and sneezing.

The number of people with whooping cough increased across the Bay last year - up 61 from 2015.

Ten of these were babies, who were at most risk of complications, and 11 were young children aged from one to four years old.

Already this year small children have been admitted to hospital with the disease.

Symptoms started with a runny nose, fever and dry cough.

Coughing got worse over the next few weeks developing into attacks of coughing and sometimes vomiting.

The 'whoop' sound occurred as a baby drew a breath after a long coughing attack.

Babies under 1-year-old were at the most risk of serious complications from the illness such as pneumonia and brain damage.

Pregnant women could get a whooping cough booster vaccination free between 28 and 38 weeks of pregnancy.

This was the time she could pass her immunity on to the baby, helping protect them until they were old enough to be vaccinated against whooping cough themselves as part of their free childhood immunisation at 6 weeks, 3 months and 5 months old.

Mr Shoemack said as children have now gone back to school and preschool, it was a good time to check if family was up to date with immunisations.

With three children and one on the way, Tauranga mother Jamie-Lee MacInnes said it was a no brainer to get the free whooping cough booster.

"All my kids have been immunised, my daughter Aneeqah had her shots last week and now it's my turn."

Jamie-Lee Mcinnes receiving the whooping cough Boostrix vaccine from outreach Vaccinator Doug Gorinski. Photo/supplied

Ms MacInnes had her vaccination through immunisation services provided by the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation.

Immunisation coordinator Diane Newland said women should talk to their GP about the Boostrix vaccine and when the right time to have it.

"Staff should also be able to talk about immunisations for your baby and the importance of getting these on time."

Whooping cough
- If babies catch whooping cough they may not be able to feed or breathe properly
- May become so ill they need to go to hospital
- Could end up with serious complications such as pneumonia or brain damage