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A baby has died from whooping cough two months into an epidemic in New Zealand.
Health officials declared an epidemic late last year, as cases spiked to levels not seen since 2018.
What you need to know about the whooping cough epidemic
Health New Zealand confirmed the infant who died over the Christmas period was the first death recorded since the epidemic was declared on 22 November 2024.
Figures from the time showed nearly 10 percent of cases - 117 people - had to be hospitalised, while two thirds of babies under 12 months ended up in hospital.
Public Health Medicine specialist Dr Matt Reid said it was one death too many.
"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."
He said it was "incredibly important" that people be alert to the symptoms of whooping cough and urged any pregnant people and babies to get immunised.
"Whooping cough is highly contagious and can cause serious harm to pēpi, especially those aged under six weeks old, who are too young to be vaccinated," Dr Reid said.
"Parents or caregivers should seek medical advice for their tamariki if they have a cough that ends with a 'whoop' sound or vomiting."
Dr Reid said mothers could give their babies initial protection by getting vaccinated against whooping cough during pregnancy, from 16 weeks.
He said it was important for infants to then be immunised on time at six weeks old.
Vaccinations were free and were needed again at three months, five months, and at four years old.
Health NZ said free boosters were also given to year 7 children in school and for adults at age 45 and again from 65.
Health New Zealand said 1232 cases had been notified since the onset of the epidemic (from 19 October 2024 to 10 January 2025) and 101 people hospitalised.
In 2023, three babies died from whooping cough.
Babies are particularly at risk of catching the disease.
About one or two in 100 of the babies hospitalised with pertussis, commonly called whooping cough, die from infection.
Cases of whooping cough are also being reported in Samoa, with 321 reported cases from September to 5 January.
A whooping cough outbreak was also declared in Samoa last November.
HNZ advice on what to do if you suspect whooping cough
Whooping cough in pēpi is unpredictable and can get worse very quickly. 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
For more information, or help to book a vaccination, call the Vaccination Healthline free on 0800 28 29 26 (8.30am-5pm Monday to Friday) or see here.
Anyone with a cough for two weeks or more, or a cough that ends with a 'whoop' sound or vomiting should seek medical advice. Contact your doctor or call Healthline for free on 0800 611 116. If anyone has difficulty breathing, call 111 and get help immediately.
