In a concerning development, health officials have revealed that the number of whooping cough cases is on the rise in England, with five infants succumbing to the disease.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) disclosed that there were 1,319 reported cases in England in March, marking a significant increase from just over 900 cases reported in February. This surge brings the total number of cases for the year 2024 to nearly 2,800.
Officials are apprehensive that this year might witness a high incidence of the bacterial infection. The last peak year, 2016, recorded 5,949 cases in England.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis or the “100-day cough,” can pose severe risks, especially for babies and infants.
Of the cases reported this year, half have been in individuals under the age of 15, with the highest rates observed among babies younger than three months old.
Tragically, all five infants who lost their lives to the disease this year were under three months old. These fatalities mark the first deaths since 2019.
Notably, other parts of the UK and Europe are also witnessing a surge in whooping cough cases.
Factors Contributing to the Rise
The rise in whooping cough cases can be attributed to various factors. According to the UKHSA, a decline in vaccine uptake, coupled with reduced numbers during the pandemic due to restrictions and public behavior, has played a significant role in the increase.
The agency emphasized that a peak year was overdue. In September 2023, the completion rate of routine six-in-one vaccinations, which includes protection against pertussis, among two-year-olds stood at 92.9%, compared to 96.3% in March 2014.
Additionally, uptake of the maternal pertussis vaccine, provided to women in every pregnancy, witnessed a decline from over 70% in September 2017 to approximately 58% in September 2023. Vaccination during pregnancy offers some protection to infants in their early months of life.
Symptoms and Spread of Whooping Cough
Whooping cough typically starts with symptoms resembling a cold, such as a runny nose and sore throat. After about a week, individuals may experience prolonged bouts of coughing, often worsening at night. Young babies may exhibit a distinctive “whoop” sound or encounter breathing difficulties after coughing.
The bacterial infection spreads through coughs and sneezes, posing a risk to individuals of all ages, although it is most severe for young children and infants.
Protective Measures
Health experts emphasize the importance of vaccination in safeguarding against whooping cough. They urge unvaccinated individuals to get vaccinated, with children up to the age of 10 still eligible for the jab.
While vaccination does not offer lifelong immunity, subsequent infections tend to be milder. Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam of UKHSA stressed the critical role of vaccination, especially for pregnant women and young infants, in defending against whooping cough.
Expressing concern over the high number of confirmed cases, Prof. Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, underscored the severity of whooping cough and urged vigilance in its prevention and management.
