Four babies have died of whooping cough in the last six weeks as cases rise, national health institute RIVM has said.

An average of one to two babies die each year of the childhood illness. The last time more than four babies died of whooping cough was in 1964 when six babies were killed.

The number of cases has been rising, amid a downturn in vaccination rates and the RIVM said it is currently registering 200 to 300 cases a week.

Reports are now coming from across the country, and not just from the Bible Belt where vaccination rates are historically low.

The vaccination of pregnant women and newborns is the only way to prevent whooping cough, the RIVM said.

Whooping cough, which is bacterial and extremely contagious, can have serious consequences for newborns, including brain damage through lack of oxygen, and sometimes death. Half of babies with whooping have to be hospitalised.

The institute is warning parents that not getting their children vaccinated is weakening herd immunity. On Thursday, 14 unvaccinated children and one adult in Eindhoven wre revealed to have caught measles, another potentially serious childhood disease.

The Hague city council said earlier this week that it was taking action to try to get more children vaccinated after the rate dropped below the critical 90% level.