Alarming rise in number of reported whooping cough cases

There has been an alarming rise in whooping cough, with reported cases up by more than 300 percent in New South Wales.

The dramatic rise in reported cases is causing real concern, because the cases are taking place in regions which are regarded as having high immunisation levels.

The Hills Shire has the highest number of reported cases followed by Blacktown, Warringah, Lake Macquarie and Sutherland.

Several LGAs, including Kyogle, Bland, Brewarrina and Narromine, are yet to report any cases of whooping cough this year.

There have been 2,189 cases of whooping cough reported in New South Wales this year.

Only 712 cases, had been reported at the same time last year.