Noticing the huge increase in the number of whooping cough cases within a year in the country, a paediatrician in Auckland has been urging parents to be more vigilant for their babies, a latest report says.

The report has found that the count of cases of the severe cough has reached up to 1,700 in 2011 i. e. almost double the figure noted in 2010. Also, a large number of infants and small children have been made to visit hospitals this year due to the same.

It is being said by Dr. Cameron Grant, an associate professor that the situation is concerning as the same could result in death of one in every ten in intensive care. Also, some may even be left with brain or lung damage.

Whooping cough is easily caught by small children below the age of five or six months. Adults are generally unaware of the fact that they need to get a booster vaccination against whooping cough.

Dr. Nikki Turner from the Immunisation Advisory Centre has suggested that adults who come in contact with infants should get a cocoon strategy. It has been told that it includes the booster vaccine that saves adults from getting back the illness as well as the infants from apprehending the same.