News & Events

Immunise now as whooping cough is on the rise

9 October 2024

Pregnant people, hapū māma, babies/pēpi, children and others at high risk from whooping cough are urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. A whooping cough epidemic was declared for Aotearoa New Zealand on 22nd November 2024. A nationally coordinated response now in place.

Protect your pēpi from whooping cough.Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a highly contagious illness that can be particularly dangerous for babies, with cases rising across the motu over the past months to high levels.

1,232 cases have been reported across the motu since October 2024 with 101 cases hospitalised. One infant died from whooping cough over the Christmas period.

“Our hearts go out to the family who have lost their child to this highly infectious disease. This is the last news any of us wanted. It is one death too many,” says Dr Matt Reid – Public Health Medicine Specialist at the National Public Health Service.

“We are most concerned for newborn babies who are too young to be vaccinated. This is why it so vitally important for pregnant people and hapū māma to be vaccinated. This is recommended from 16 weeks of pregnancy as the best and safest way to protect their baby from this serious, and sadly, sometimes fatal disease,” says Dr Susan Jack – National Clinical Director Protection at the National Public Health Service.

Getting immunised for whooping cough

Infants and young children also need be protected by being kept up to date with their pertussis immunisations, which are due 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) – though it’s never too late for children to catch up on their vaccinations.

“Vaccinations are FREE for all children aged under 18 – including visitors to New Zealand regardless of their citizenship. Adults are eligible for one FREE booster from age 45 (if they have not had four previous tetanus doses), and can get one FREE from age 65.

“It’s also a good reminder that children particularly need to be kept up to date with all of their vaccinations, such as measles, mumps and rubella too – and not just pertussis,” Dr Jack says. “Now is a great time to check that you, your whānau and tamariki are up to date with all of your immunisations.”

The FREE whooping cough vaccine can be given at your GP, Hauora Māori, Pacific health service, or at some pharmacies.

Signs and symptoms of whooping cough to look out for

Whooping cough is highly infectious and is spread by coughing and sneezing. It’s caused by bacteria which damage the breathing tubes.
The symptoms usually appear around a week after infection.

Parents or caregivers should seek medical advice for their tamariki if they have a cough that ends with a ‘whoop’ sound or vomiting.

Whooping cough in pēpi is unpredictable and can get worse very quickly. Babies under the age of one who get pertussis are more likely to become seriously ill and need hospital treatment.

Parents should seek urgent medical advice if their pēpi: 

  • Stops breathing;
  • Goes blue with coughing;
  • Appears to have a cold, then cough and have difficulty breathing;
  • Gets exhausted from coughing;
  • Is not able to feed properly because of coughing and difficulty breathing;
  • Loses weight because of difficulty feeding and because the cough causes them to vomit (be sick).

See your doctor if you think you or a family member may have whooping cough, particularly if they:

  • have prolonged coughing spasms;
  • turn blue while coughing;
  • cough with a whooping sound; and
  • are not vaccinated.

Adapted from: Health NZ media releases (October and November 2024 and January 2025).

Protect yourself against Legionnaires’ disease

27 September 2024

Warmer weather in spring and daylight saving brings many New Zealanders out into the garden. It’s also unfortunately the time when gardeners are most at risk of catching Legionnaires’ disease from bags or bulk loads of potting mix and compost.

Gardeners are being urged to take care with potting mix and compost – with 108 cases of the disease already confirmed across the country this year.

Gardeners are being encouraged to gear up against Legionnaires' disease.Medical Officer of Health Dr Cheryl Brunton, says Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia.

“It’s caused by the Legionella bacteria that live in moist organic material and people can catch the disease by breathing in airborne droplets or particles containing the bacteria.

“Gardeners are at particularly high risk of catching Legionnaires’ disease as the bacteria thrive in potting mix and compost,” says Dr Reid.

In Canterbury there is typically a spike in cases in spring that can be attributed to increased gardening activity and good weather. Now is the time for people to make sure they are taking the necessary steps to avoid catching the disease.

There are some simple actions gardeners should take to avoid getting Legionnaires’ disease:

  1. Always work outside. Find a well-ventilated outdoor area and preferably with light winds.
  2. Wear a well-fitting face mask. An N95 or respirator is best.
  3. Wear gloves when handling potting mix or compost.
  4. Cut – don’t rip. Carefully open bags of compost or potting mix with scissors and away from your face.
  5. Compost dry? Damp it down. This will reduce dust.
  6. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Do this after handling potting mix or compost and before touching your face or removing your mask.

“Legionnaires’ disease is a very serious illness and following these simple steps can be lifesaving,” says Dr Matt Reid.

The illness may be mild but can sometimes be fatal. It is more common in older people, particularly if they smoke, have poor immunity or a chronic illness. However, even healthy young people have died from Legionella pneumonia.

Symptoms of Legionnaire’s disease to look out for

Symptoms of the disease can include a ‘flu-like’ illness with:

  • dry coughing;
  • high fever;
  • chills;
  • shortness of breath;
  • muscle aches;
  • headaches; and
  • diarrhoea.

Anyone who has these symptoms should see their general practice team immediately for advice, and let them know they have been handling potting mix or compost recently.

Page last updated: 24/04/2018

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