Australia battling the largest whooping cough epidemic in over a decade: What you need to know

Australia is battling the largest whooping cough epidemic in history since the invention of vaccines against the deadly disease. 

Whooping cough is a highly infectious and potentially deadly lung disease which can be life-threatening for babies and young children. 

Health authorities are on high alert after 41,013 cases were recorded this year - more than the previous record of 38,748 cases in 2011. 

Up to 130 confirmed cases of whooping cough are being recorded every day with up to 45,000 new cases expected by the end of the year.

Figures have revealed a major spike of cases in school-aged children with nearly 40 per cent of infections recorded in 10 to 14-year-olds. 

Dr Laurence Luu, Chancellors Research Fellow and Lecturer at University of Technology Sydney, said the disease was more contagious than Covid-19. 

Given the significant rise in whooping cough cases, current vaccination rates are a major concern, he said.

While we do an incredible job protecting newborns and infants, re-vaccination or booster rates are alarmingly low.

Whooping cough is a highly infectious and potentially deadly lung disease which can be life-threatening for babies and young children (stock)

Australia is battling the largest whooping cough epidemic in history since the invention of vaccines against the deadly disease (pictured, a map of the disease in Australia by year)

Immunisation Foundation of Australia founder Catherine Hughes AMs four-week-old son Riley sadly died from whooping cough complications. 

She has since urged people to be alert to the sign of infection.

Many people are unaware of the necessity for a booster vaccine and are probably not adequately protected, she said.

We all have a role to play in controlling the spread of whooping cough and reducing the risk of infection in ourselves and others. It takes community effort to protect against whooping cough.

Symptoms of whooping cough dont always appear until two weeks after infection meaning a person can remain contagious for up to three weeks. 

The disease can also be treated with antibiotics with Aussies urged to take basic health measures to reduce the spread of infection.

This includes people covering their nose and mouth while sneezing and coughing and washing their hands regularly.

In 2023, one-in-four young Aussies turning 13-years-old missed out on their whooping cough booster, while only one-in-five Australians aged over 50 years is up to date for whooping cough vaccination.

The Immunisation Foundation of Australia recommends adults get a booster shot at least every 10 years to maintain protection against the bacterial infection.

There has been a major spike in cases among 10-14-year-olds in Australia (pictured)

 The disease is highly contagious and will likely infect the majority of people who come into close contact with a sick person.

Whooping cough usually starts with typical flu-like symptoms such as a cough, runny nose, watery eyes and a low-grade fever.

A dry and persistent cough usually lasts for a week and the frequency of the coughing produces a whoop sound.

Severe cases can result in pneumonia, bleeding into the nose, eyes or brain and some children can also suffer brain damage.