The situation has been no secret to local schools in recent weeks but yesterday it was confirmed that the disease has hit the local area harder than most areas in the State wide upsurge.

Warnings relating to the outbreak have been posted on the doors at the Lithgow Hospital buildings and schoolchildren with any suspicious systems are being sent home

Yesterday the Sydney West Area Health Service (SWAHS) issued an official advice urging Lithgow residents to be on the look out for whooping cough,

A spokesman confirmed there has been a sharp increase in the number of reported cases among Lithgow residents this year.

Dr Vicky Sheppeard, SWAHS Director of the Communicable Diseases Unit said there have been 101 cases of whooping cough notified in Lithgow already this year, compared to an average of only 19 cases each year in the last decade.

“The outbreak in Lithgow has probably spread from a major outbreak in Sydney West that started in 2008,” Dr Sheppeard said.

“Whooping cough can affect both children and adults and usually starts like an ordinary cold then develops into a persistent cough.

“The coughing may be followed by a deep gasp or ‘whoop’.

“People with these symptoms should seek medical attention from their family doctor or hospital, as specific antibiotics are available to effectively treat the illness,” Dr Sheppeard said.

Whooping cough is very contagious and can be spread to other people by sneezing or coughing.

“You can be infectious for up to three weeks from the start of the cough and can easily spread the disease to family members, other children in childcare or school, or work colleagues,” she said.

Whooping cough is particularly dangerous for young babies who have not received all their vaccinations.

People who are ill or have a cough should stay away from young babies.

Children, parents and people in regular contact with babies should be vaccinated against whooping cough.