Northland has currently been facing a huge outbreak of whooping cough, a fatal illness, and therefore, parents are being asked strictly to get their children vaccinated against the same, a report has found recently.

District Health Board of the region has been urging parents to help prevent the disease from spreading further by getting boosters themselves as well as immunizing infants and small children.

It has been told by health experts that elderly and small ones are at highest risk of contracting the illness, also called as Pertussis, because of their weak immune system.

The disease however is just like flu at the beginning, but eventually becomes bouts of coughing. Symptoms in children include problem in breathing, thereby turning blue with dangerous coughing. It is being said that coughing sometimes lasts for days and even kills at times.

A total of 47 cases have been noted by an investigation team until now, which is a significant increase over the last year's cases, which were 10 in all.

Suggestions have come that one should not postpone for the vaccines, which are available free at nearby clinics or by a GP. Early or timely vaccination proves to be a great help in ensuring safety of a child, said experts.