Communicable Diseases Report: October 2001

Abstract

Spring is the season when the number of pertussis infections tends to increase. Earlier hopes that the large pertussis epidemic was decreasing has not been fulfilled (Figure 1). Notifications of this disease have increased once more, and high numbers have been reported from many areas, notably Northern Sydney, Greater Murray, Northern Rivers and Macquarie health areas (Table 1). All age groups appear to be affected. We estimate that the epidemic will continue into the spring in very high numbers.