After a five-week-old South Australian boy died from the illness earlier this month, state health authorities report a rise in the number of cases of the highly contagious disease.

He was the first infant to die from whooping cough in the state since 2001.

SA Chief Medical Officer Professor Paddy Phillips said “babies and young children are the most vulnerable to complications following infection, as tragically demonstrated in this case”.

“Vaccination provides the best protection against whooping cough,” he said. “It’s important that everyone makes sure their vaccination is up-to-date.”

Professor Phillips encouraged families to protect babies by ensuring everyone who has regular contact with them is vaccinated.

“Babies under six months of age are not able to complete the required series of vaccinations so they remain especially vulnerable,” he said.

In 2008 and 2009, more than 20,000 people were diagnosed with whooping cough in NSW. Symptoms of whooping cough include: a runny nose, followed by a cough, which becomes worse; a cough that occurs in spasms, which may be followed by vomiting; and a cough with a ‘whoop’ (a sudden noisy gasp at the end of coughing).

Anyone with symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible. Diagnosis and early treatment of new infections can prevent spread.

The whooping cough vaccine is provided free of charge for infants at two, four and six months (the first dose can be given as early as six weeks of age). A free booster is given at four years of age. If your child has not been fully immunised, discuss a catch-up plan with your doctor.

Immunisation reduces the risk of infection but the vaccine does not give lifelong protection and reinfection can occur.