While our media plays down the epidemic, largely because the outbreaks are traced to un-vaccinated illegal immigrant populations and the politically correct anti-vaxxer movement in many cases, other countries are warning their citizens to be cautious if they travel to our shores:

Australia Thursday warned travellers to the United States to watch out for a whooping cough outbreak which has claimed the lives of several babies.

The foreign affairs department said a number of American states had been hit by the disease including California, where local reports say nine babies have died.

“Several US states have reported an increase in cases and/or localised outbreaks of pertussis (whooping cough), including a state-wide epidemic in California,” the travel advice says.

“The United States government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises it is not necessary to delay travel to an area that is experiencing a pertussis outbreak, but visitors should make sure they are up to date on their vaccines.”

Whooping cough is highly contagious, but mild in adults. It is very dangerous for children however and California has recorded a number of deaths recently.