Tas: Whooping cough outbreak at Hobart Private

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2003
Tas: Whooping cough outbreak at Hobart Private

Whooping cough has been discovered at Hobart Private Hospital, putting newborn babies
and their parents at risk from the bacterial disease.

Hospital CEO JOHN WIGAN says a midwife working in the hospital's neonatal ward was
diagnosed with the disease last week.

Mr WIGAN says a group of 30 family members and babies may have come in contact with her.

He says the hospital and the Department of Health are working to contain the outbreak,
which has so far not spread any further.

Mr WIGAN says he's been told the incidence of whooping cough is increasing because
people have stopped immunising themselves against it.

AAP RTV ag/gjr

KEYWORD: WHOOPING (MELBOURNE)

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