As health authorities deal with outbreaks of measles and menningococcal disease across the North Island, cases of whooping cough have shot up in the South Island and Wellington.
The latest case is a toddler in the capital, bringing the total number of cases of whooping cough in the region to six.
In the Nelson/Marlborough region, 28 cases have been registered in the past two months, with 13 more under investigation. The usual monthly average is six.
More than 150 cases of whooping cough have been identified on the West Coast, with the outbreak centred around Hokitika.
The Medical Officer of health for the West Coast, Dr Cheryl Brunton, says the disease causes bouts of uncontrollable coughing.
In Wellington, Medical Officer of Health Dr Stephen Palmer says there is normally a blip of meninoccocal cases about this time of year, but it's of concern that there have been two deaths in the past month.
He says adolescents are especially at risk.
Dr Palmer says carers should look for rapid deterioration and a rash developing.
The Auckland Regional Public Health Service there have been 174 cases of measles there since late May and 28 cases of mennigococal disease.
