A nation-wide outbreak of whooping cough has been declared123RF An nation-wide outbreak of whooping cough has been declared. (file photo)A national outbreak of whooping cough has been declared, as a total of 1315 cases have been reported since the beginning of 2017. READ MORE:* Whooping cough cases increase in Nelson* Outbreak of whooping cough hits Waiheke Island* Increase in whooping cough cases in region* Whooping cough spike could lead to epidemicBetween Tuesday and Wednesday, 21 cases of the cough were confirmed in Nelson and Marlborough alone. Most adults don't realise they have whooping cough, but it is incredibly contagious. Whooping cough is less serious in adults, but is harder to prevent for them as immunity wears off over time.

Source: Stuff December 01, 2017 05:29 UTC