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27 October 2011 09:32
Concern is growing that a whooping cough outbreak in New Zealand could spread nationwide
Britons travelling to New Zealand in the coming weeks might want to purchase medical travel insurance after health officials warned that a whooping cough outbreak in pockets of the country could become more widespread.
In September there were 40 cases of whooping cough in Nelson, on the northern tip of the South Island, while 27 cases have been identified so far this month and a further 16 are being investigated, according to Nelson Marlborough District Health Board.
There are also confirmed cases along the west coast of New Zealand and in Hawke's Bay in the North Island. The outbreak has prompted fears that a similar nationwide epidemic to the one in 2004-05 could occur.
Dr Jill Sherwood, Nelson Marlborough District Health Board medical officer, said whooping cough was especially serious for babies who have not yet been immunised.
She went on to say that parents should keep young babies away from anyone with a cough as people who have undiagnosed cases of whooping cough can often infect others in close proximity.
Dr Sherwood said: "See your GP quickly if you are concerned about your health or the health of your child as antibiotics prescribed early in the illness could decrease the seriousness of the symptoms.
"If babies and young children are immunised, they can reduce their chance of this serious and sometimes life-threatening illness."
19 October 2018
Pregnant women who suffer from pre-eclampsia have a greater risk of developing dementia, new research suggests.
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18 October 2018
The UK's average life expectancy is predicted to increase from 80.8 years to 83.3 years over the next 20 years, according to new research.
17 October 2018
Family doctors are being urged to prescribe physical activity for patients living with some of the most common medical conditions.
16 October 2018
Patients with brain tumours lose out on almost £15,000 per year, a new report has revealed.
13 October 2018
Chris Grayling has given his "categorial assurance" to Parliament that a no-deal Brexit will not ground flights in and out of the UK, despite recent warnings from experts that this remains a possibility.
12 October 2018
The rising cost of fuel could force more airlines out of business, the boss of easyJet has warned.
11 October 2018
The image of the boozy backpacker might be a thing of the past as a new study suggests more and more youngsters are shunning alcohol completely.
10 October 2018
The NHS says just one in 10 drinks sold in English hospitals will be sugar-sweetened, as part of its bid to curb rising obesity levels.
09 October 2018
More than 260,000 diabetes patients were put at risk of lasting harm or even death during hospital stays last year due to medication errors, a new report has revealed.
06 October 2018
NHS patients with a specific type of lymphoma will soon be able to access a "game-changing" new treatment, health officials have revealed.
05 October 2018
People living with diabetes are being warned they might be "unwittingly" storing their insulin incorrectly.
04 October 2018
The world's first commercial jet part-powered by a new form of biofuel touches down in London on Wednesday (3rd October).