Tasmania's whooping cough rates have continued to increase, with 124 confirmed cases made to Public Health Services in January.
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A case of whooping cough was reported at St Leonards Primary School on Wednesday, with the school taking to social media advising that letters would be sent home to parents.
"If your child is away sick today, please see your GP if they have whooping cough symptoms," the post read.
Tasmania's last outbreak of whooping cough occurred in 2018, with more than 170 confirmed cases between August and November.
The increase prompted Public Health Services to issue a public alert for a whooping cough outbreak.
On Thursday, clinical director Dr Faline Howes said statewide notifications of the disease were continuing to increase.
"Public Health Services noticed increased notifications of whooping cough in the second half of 2018 and notifications continue to increase in 2019," she said.
"There were 124 notifications in January, after 103 in December and 84 in November.
"The previous whooping cough outbreak began in late 2011 and lasted about 18 months."
Whooping cough usually starts with common cold symptoms such as a runny nose and cough, but severe coughing that can cause vomiting, fainting and difficulty breathing follows.
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Dr Howes said in Tasmania, outbreaks usually involved the whole state and lasted for many months.
"Whooping cough occurs in cycles with peaks about every four to five years," she said.
"Cases still occur in between these outbreaks, but are much less common."
Dr Howes said people of any age could catch and spread whooping cough, however children aged under six months were most at risk of life-threatening disease.
"It is very important all pregnant women receive whooping cough vaccine in the third trimester of each pregnancy," she said.
"This is a safe and effective way to help protect the newborn baby in the first weeks of life."
Vaccines for mothers, babies and children are free under the National Immunisation Program.
Health Minister Michael Ferguson encouraged all parents to have their children vaccinated.
"What we do know is that any case of is whooping cough is notifiable to the director of pubic health, which monitors these illnesses like a hawk," he said.
"The strong message that we would always promote, whether there's an individual case or a localised increase, is the same.
"Please make sure that you vaccinate your children.
"As always we must remain vigilant and vaccination remains the best and only way to prevent this disease."