Whooping Cough cases continue to be a problem for our healthcare system with cases up ten-fold this year compared to the whole of 2023, with children aged 9 to 12 years accounting for nearly 40% of all notified cases.
Dr Rob Grenfell, Chief Strategy and Regions Officer from Grampians Health, says we are seeing cases locally in Ballarat and across western Victoria.
“People would be aware that a number of states have actually issued alerts on this.”
“To give a bit of a local flavour we have unfortunately had three very young members of our community come down with Whooping Cough or Pertussis and require hospitalisation and treatment.”
“So, that’s what we are trying to prevent here with regards to the awareness of the community and the management of Pertussis in the community,” Dr. Grenfell said.
Grampians Health has urged the community to ensure infants are vaccinated on time, and all pregnant women are vaccinated between 20-32 weeks.
