Parents in Northland are being urged to immunise their children against whooping cough after a outbreak across the region.
Northland District Health Board has recorded 47 cases of whooping cough so far this year, compared with 10 cases for the whole of last year.
Medical officer of health Jonathan Jarman says children often stop breathing and turn blue after coughing.
Dr Jarman says immunisation is the best protection against the disease.
