Whooping cough instances surge by nearly 2,600 in a single month

On Jul 11, 2024

By Emily Stearn, Health Reporter For Mailonline

Published: 10:15, 11 July 2024 | Updated: 10:31, 11 July 2024

Whooping cough cases have surged by almost 2,600 in a single month, amid a spiralling outbreak which has terrified parents.

Health chiefs say Covid lockdowns have fuelled England’s unprecedented epidemic of pertussis, nicknamed the ‘100-day cough’ because it’s notoriously hard to shake off.

More than 7,500 cases have already been recorded in 2024 — almost nine times the level seen across the entirety of 2023.

Nine babies have died since November. All were under the age of three months.

Vaccination rates have also slumped in the wake of the pandemic in a trend experts blame on growing jab scepticism.

Whooping cough cases have surged by almost 2,600 in a single month, amid a spiralling outbreak which has terrified parents. Health chiefs say Covid lockdowns have fuelled England’s unprecedented epidemic of pertussis, nicknamed the ‘100-day cough’ because it’s notoriously hard to shake off

More than 7,500 cases have already been recorded in 2024 — almost nine times the level seen across the entirety of 2023. Nine babies have died since November. All were under the age of three months

Health officials warned that the infection is initially difficult to tell apart from a cold, as the first signs are a runny nose and sore throat. But around a week later, sufferers may develop coughing bouts that last minutes, struggle to breathe after coughing and make a ‘whoop’ sound between coughs. Other signs of whooping cough include bringing up a thick mucus that can cause vomiting and becoming red in the face

Surveillance statistics show there were 2,591 cases confirmed in May, up almost 500 on the 2,106 in April.

By comparison, 555 cases were logged in January, the UK Health Security Agency (UKSA) said.

Although proven to have saved millions of lives, Covid vaccines have been linked to potentially serious complications.

Mandates during the pandemic are also feared to have dented vaccine confidence. Brits were effectively barred from travelling abroad unless they were double-jabbed. Care workers also lost their jobs unless they were fully vaccinated.

What is whooping cough?

Whooping cough is caused by the pertussis bacteria and is spread by coughing and sneezing.

The infection is initially difficult to tell apart from a cold, as the first signs are a runny nose and sore throat.

But around a week later, sufferers may develop coughing bouts that last minutes, struggle to breathe after coughing and make a ‘whoop’ sound between coughs.

Other signs of whooping cough include bringing up a thick mucus that can cause vomiting and becoming red in the face.

Sufferers are infectious from around six days after cold-like symptoms develop to three weeks after their cough starts.

Doctors dish out antibiotics as treatment if the whooping cough is detected within three weeks. However, if a person has been infected for longer, antibiotics will not speed up their recovery.

The infection can be fatal, with up to 3 per cent of newborns dying from it, according to Professor Paul Hunter, an expert in infectious diseases from the University of East Anglia.

Additionally, most babies under six months with whooping cough are hospitalised with complications, such as dehydration, breathing difficulties and pneumonia.

It is less severe in older children and adults but can still cause sore ribs, a hernias, ear infections and urinary incontinence among these groups.

The 6-in-1 vaccine, given to babies at eight, 12 and 16 weeks, and the 4-in-1 pre-school booster, administered to children aged three years and four months, is vital for protecting against catching whooping cough.

Pregnant women are also encouraged to get the vaccine to protect their baby from catching the infection in the first few weeks of their life.

Officials are desperately trying to ramp up vaccination rates, pleading with mothers-to-be to get jabbed. Whooping cough is as contagious as measles.

It protects babies in the first few months of their life, when they are most vulnerable and before they can receive their own vaccines.

But just a quarter pregnant women have had the pertussis jab – offered between 16 and 32 weeks — in parts of London.

Rates are below half in other parts of the capital and Birmingham.

Dozens of babies died each year before the pregnancy jab roll-out was introduced in England in 2012.

Dr Mary Ramsay, director of immunisation at UKHSA, said: ‘Vaccination is the best defence against whooping cough and it is vital that pregnant women and young infants receive their vaccines at the right time.

‘Pregnant women are offered a whooping cough vaccine in every pregnancy, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks.

‘This passes protection to their baby in the womb so that they are protected from birth in the first months of their life when they are most vulnerable and before they can receive their own vaccines.

She added: ‘If you have any questions or concerns about the vaccination please speak with your midwife or GP or a trusted health professional.

‘With cases continuing to rise and sadly nine infant deaths since the outbreak began last November, ensuring women are vaccinated appropriately in pregnancy has never been more important.

‘Our thoughts and condolences are with those families who have so tragically lost their baby.’

Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for England, also said: ‘The rise in whooping cough cases over the past six months, including several infant deaths, is of real concern and I would urge pregnant women to get vaccinated to help protect their babies in the first few weeks of their life.

‘Women can access the vaccine, which also protects against diphtheria and tetanus, through their GP or some antenatal services, and parents should also ensure that their children get protected in the first few months after birth as part of the routine NHS vaccine offer.’

Whooping cough can initially be difficult to tell apart from a cold, with the first signs typically being a runny nose and sore throat.

But around a week later, sufferers may develop coughing bouts which last minutes, struggle to breathe after coughing and make a ‘whoop’ sound between coughs.

Other signs of pertussis include bringing up a thick mucus that can cause vomiting and becoming red in the face.

Whooping cough is a cyclical illness which typically peaks every five years. The last occurred in 2016, when almost 6,000 cases were confirmed.

Pre-pandemic, between 2,500 and 4,500 suspected cases were logged each year. This fell to around 500 during the coronavirus crisis.

Lockdowns stifled the spread of pathogens as people met less.

UKHSA bosses said the impact of the Covid pandemic also means there is reduced immunity in the population. Similar rebounds were seen for flu and RSV.