23 Nov 2024

The whooping cough epidemic

From Saturday Morning, 7:35 am on 23 November 2024
An illustration of Bordetella pertussis which is a Gram-negative, aerobic, pathogenic, encapsulated coccobacillus of the genus Bordetella, and the causative agent of pertussis or whooping cough.

An illustration of Bacteria Bordetella pertussis which causes whooping cough. Photo: 123RF

A whooping cough epidemic has been declared in Aotearoa.

In the past four weeks, there have been 263 cases of whooping cough (Pertussis) - the highest number of cases over a month this year.

Immunisation Advisory Centre founder Dr Nikki Turner explains what's been happening.