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According to the UK Health Security Agency, nine infants have died from whooping cough since November 2023, and the number of cases continues to rise.
the Latest figures There have been 2,591 new cases in England in May, taking the total since January to 7,599.
Experts are concerned that this year has been a year of bacterial infections, which could have a particularly negative impact on infants and young children.
They are urging pregnant women and children to get their vaccinations up to date.
The last peak was in 2016. 5,945 results.
Whooping cough (also known as pertussis and medically as whooping cough) is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs and causes prolonged coughing.
Of the 7,599 cases from January to May, more than half were in people aged 14 or older, and symptoms usually only become mild.
However, 262 of the cases were in infants under three months of age, who are at highest risk of complications and death.
Why are cases increasing?
Since the beginning of this year, there has been an increase in whooping cough cases in the UK and many other countries.
It is cyclical, peaking every three to five years.
The last outbreak was in 2016; there was a major outbreak in 2012 with more than 9,000 cases reported, before a vaccination program for pregnant women was introduced.
The UKHSA said the number of people contracting whooping cough during the pandemic had fallen and “the peak years have passed” meaning the public’s immunity had waned.
vaccine
Vaccination rates among pregnant women are also a factor, falling from a peak of 72.6% in March 2017 to 58.9% in March 2024.
Dr Mary Ramsay, UKHSA’s head of immunisation, said: “It is now more important than ever to ensure pregnant women are properly vaccinated.”
“Pregnant women are advised to receive the pertussis vaccine during each pregnancy, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks.
“This ensures that protection is passed on to the unborn baby, protecting them during the first few months of life when they are most vulnerable, and from birth onwards, before they have had their own vaccinations.”
“Our hearts go out to the family who have suffered the tragic loss of their baby.”
Women can get the vaccine through their GP or some antenatal clinics.
To protect babies against whooping cough and other serious diseases, they receive three doses of a 6-in-1 vaccine at eight, 12 and 16 weeks of age.
Children are then offered a booster shot before starting school, and unvaccinated children can be vaccinated up to the age of 10.
What are the symptoms of whooping cough?
The first signs of whooping cough are cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose and sore throat.
After about a week, the infection develops into coughing fits that last for a few minutes and are usually worse at night.
Some young babies may make a characteristic whooshing sound after coughing and may have difficulty breathing, but this is not always the case and may make whooping cough difficult to recognise.
People with whooping cough should stay home and not go to work, school, or daycare until 48 hours after starting antibiotics, or until 2 weeks after symptoms started if they are not taking antibiotics.
