A dramatic rise in whooping cough is hitting young and old alike across Kent.

Doctors are being put on their guard after a six-fold increase on last year.

Already this year, last year’s total has been virtually matched.

A spokesman for NHS Kent and Medway said: “We’re only four months into 2012 and we are already seeing nearly as many cases as the year before.”

The disease is very infectious. Children catching it frequently have to be admitted to hospital for treatment in isolation and, in rare cases, it can kill.

Currently the illness is affecting teenagers and adults but in the last few months health experts have noticed a rise in the number of very young children being infected.

Kent GP Dr Peter Biggs said: “It’s every child’s right to receive immunisations against preventable illnesses such as whooping cough and measles, and it’s every parent’s responsibility to ensure that these are given.

"These diseases have not gone away, and it’s really important that parents understand the importance of keeping up with immunisation schedules.

“Babies need to be vaccinated at two, three and four months, and again when they reach their first birthday. Children also need a pre-school booster once they reach three and a half.”

The main symptoms are severe coughing fits which, in babies and children, are accompanied by a characteristic “whoop” as the child gasps for breath after coughing.

A rise in measles cases has also been reported by the primary care trust this year. The majority of patients have been in unvaccinated.