LOCAL health professionals are urging residents to get vaccinated after a growing number of swine flu and whooping cough cases have been recorded around the country.According to the Ballarat and District Division of General Practice, cases of the common flu and whooping cough have become increasingly prevalent in the region.The practice's division hospital liaison Bernie Fensling said many patients had presented with the flu."Whether or not it's swine flu is impossible to say,'' Dr Fensling said."We are certainly encouraging patients to have the influenza or swine flu vaccination depending on the circumstances.''There have been almost 300 confirmed cases of swine flu, also known as the H1N1 influenza virus, around the country so far this year, with nine patients in intensive care units.Ballarat Health Services Medical Services acting executive director Philip Reasbeck said it was expected to be one of the dominant strains of influenza this season."Although H1N1 has remained a mild illness in most people, it's important that we dont ignore or forget about the risks," Dr Reasbeck said.Signs and symptoms of the illness include coughing, sneezing, and high fever.Division of General Practice immunisation co-ordinator Jo Millard said a second wave of swine flu had been expected since last year's outbreak.She said it was crucial that everyone received the vaccination, particularly pregnant women and those with pre-disposed medical conditions.But Ms Millard said the increased number of whooping cough cases in the region was equally of concern."This year we thought it had calmed down but it's up there again," she said.This year, there have been 79 notified cases of whooping cough.Symptoms, which can last a few months, include severe coughing spasms and vomiting.The illness is particularly dangerous in children under one with one in every 200 dying as a result.Adults over 50 and parents of newborns are also at risk and are encouraged to get vaccinated.Vaccinations are available from local government immunisation providers or local GPs.