Health bosses in the UK have raised concerns after cases of a dangerous cough have tripled. According to the latest data, more than 700 people were infected with pertussis virus in just three months this year.
More commonly known as whooping cough, there were 716 cases reported in England and Wales between July and November. This is more than three times the number compared to the same time in 2022.
As reported by The Sun, these UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) figures come from medical practitioners who refer suspected cases to a health team or council. Now experts are urging expectant mothers to get vaccinated against the potentially fatal disease as soon as possible.
Often thought of as a “Victorian disease”, whooping cough is a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes. It can spread quickly and can cause serious problems.
In babies it can lead to pneumonia, seizures and even death. Globally it kills thousands of children every year, but death rates are highest in countries that don’t offer a vaccine.
The NHS provides a whooping cough jab for babies at ages eight, 12 and 16 weeks, as well as children aged three. Pregnant people should also get vaccinated between 16 and 32 weeks.
Despite the importance of the vaccine, uptake in the UK has dropped, with a, with a 61.5 percent jab rate in 2022. This is a 3.9 percent decrease from 2021 and an almost eight percent drop from 2020.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, urged people to make use of the vaccine.
Speaking to The Sun, she warned: “Whooping cough can be very serious for young babies, particularly under six months, and can lead to pneumonia, permanent brain damage, and even death.
“That’s why it’s so important that all expectant mothers get the vaccine at the recommended time from 20 weeks, to give their babies the best protection from this serious and highly contagious disease.”
It is not just compared to last year that cases have risen. A total of 52 cases of whooping cough were reported across England and Wales in the week ending November 26, almost 50 percent more than the 35 cases in the week ending October 29.
As a more localised example, in the West Midlands there were nine suspected cases of whooping cough between November 19 to 26, up from just two in the week ending October 29, one month earlier.
Suzanne Hartwell, deputy leader of Sandwell Council – which is one of the affected areas, commented: “It is really worrying to see that whooping cough cases have increased again regionally, especially when this has led to some babies being hospitalised.
“This illness can easily be prevented. I would urge everyone to help protect children by getting vaccinated when asked to.”
According to the NHS, the first symptoms of whooping cough to look for are similar to those of a cold.
These include a runny nose, red and watery eyes, a sore throat, and a slightly raised temperature.
Intense coughing bouts start about a week later. The bouts usually last a few minutes at a time and tend to be more common at night.
This coughing often brings up thick mucus and may be followed by vomiting. Between coughs, you or your child may gasp for breath – this may cause a “whoop” sound, although not everyone has this.
The strain of coughing can cause the face to become very red, and there may be some slight bleeding under the skin or in the eyes.
Young children can sometimes briefly turn blue (cyanosis) if they have trouble breathing – this often looks worse than it is and their breathing should start again quickly.
If your child has symptoms of whooping cough you should call 111 or book an urgent GP appointment.
The NHS advises going to A&E or calling 999 if:
- Your or your child’s lips, tongue, face or skin suddenly turn blue or grey (on black or brown skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet)
- You or your child are finding it hard to breathe properly (shallow breathing)
- You or your child have chest pain that’s worse when breathing or coughing – this could be a sign of pneumonia
- Your child is having seizures (fits).
