Baby dies following "whooping cough" outbreak in the Bay

Warning:

This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers.

The Eastern Cape Department of Health has confirmed an outbreak of Bordetella Pertussis aka "whooping cough" in Nelson Mandela Bay which has already led to one fatality.

Department spokesperson, Lwandile Sicwetsha, said the victim was a one-month-old baby.

The outbreak team in the Metro has reported 26 cases since the beginning of the year up to the 15th of October.

Sicwetsha said 13 cases were reported in the private healthcare sector while the remaining 13 were reported at State hospitals.

He says "whooping cough" mostly affects infants under three months old and is a vaccine-preventable disease.

What are the symptoms?

• flu-like symptoms such as prolonged coughs of more than 2 weeks
• difficulty in breathing

What must parents do?

• Look out for symptoms and immediately take children to nearest clinics.  
• Follow the immunization schedule to reduce the chances of contracting the disease.

The disease is curable if it is detected during the early stages.