Whooping cough cases are surging in Australia. Here's how to protect yourself

Australia is facing a whooping cough outbreak. Some 2,799 cases were recorded in the first three months of 2024. Cases are highest in Queensland and New South Wales, with more than 1,000 recorded in each state. The last time Queensland recorded more than 1,000 cases in three months was the first quarter of 2013.

Due to COVID-19 measures such as border closures, social isolation and masks, the number of cases declined dramatically during 2020–23. If trends had followed the usual outbreak cycle, this might have been around the time we'd have seen another outbreak. Missed routine whooping cough vaccinations at the height of the pandemic may mean Australia is more vulnerable now.

Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)

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