Queensland is experiencing a significant rise in whooping cough cases, reaching levels not seen in over a decade. In the early months of 2025 alone, health authorities have confirmed more than 2,380 cases—more than triple the average annual total reported between 2020 and 2024.
This increase follows an already challenging year in 2024, when over 15,000 cases of whooping cough were reported—surpassing the combined total of the previous eleven years. The concerning trend has prompted medical experts to call for urgent public health efforts to reduce further spread.
Health professionals point to a gradual decline in immunisation rates as a major contributing factor. Routine vaccination schedules were disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and some communities have experienced a rise in vaccine hesitancy. These challenges have impacted the uptake of essential childhood immunisations, including the pertussis vaccine that protects against whooping cough.
In addition, public health officials note that personal hygiene practices such as regular handwashing and mask use—which were common during the pandemic—have decreased over time. The combination of reduced immunity and less emphasis on everyday prevention may be contributing to the increase in respiratory illnesses.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a contagious illness that often begins with mild cold-like symptoms before progressing into prolonged coughing spells. While it can affect people of all ages, it poses the greatest risk to infants and those with compromised immune systems. In severe cases, complications such as pneumonia can occur.
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