Leicestershire picture as cases of whooping cough increase nationally for fifth week in a row

Whooping cough cases are on the rise

Cases of whooping cough are on the rise across the country. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which monitors infectious diseases, has been warned of 412 suspected cases in the first five weeks of 2024.

The most recent data, for the week up to Sunday, February 4, shows a 20 per cent increase in cases compared to the week before. This makes it the fifth consecutive week that possible infections have risen.

Whooping cough – sometimes known as the “100-day cough” – is a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes. It spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems.

The situation in Leicester and Leicestershire is much better than in some parts of the country. Across all local areas, there have only been seven suspected cases since the start of the year. Last week there were just two.

Hinckley and Bosworth has been hit hardest, recording possible infections since Monday, January 1. Charnwood, Harborough, Leicester and Melton have all reported one suspected case each, while Blaby, North West Leicestershire and Oadby and Wigston have had none.

Comparatively, Swansea is the hardest hit local authority area and has had 42 reports so far this year. Hart, in Hampshire, saw its suspected cases for the week to February 4 almost treble from the previous week, with 29 recorded. This made the area the second-hardest hit so far this year at 39 potential cases.

In total, there were 1,416 suspected cases of whooping cough seen by GPs in the first five weeks of the year. That is by far the highest total for the same period in more than a decade – and more than seven times higher than the 189 cases seen 10 years ago in the first five weeks of 2014, Reach’s data unit said.

Wales continues to have more cases than any region of England, with 306, including 94 in the latest week. But the spread of whooping cough is gaining pace in parts of England, particularly the South East, North West, and London.

Suspected cases are lab-tested to determine if they are the disease. Not all of the suspected cases will prove to be whooping cough.

Navin Khosla, a pharmacist at online pharmacy NowPatient, said: “For many years, whooping cough has been known as an infection which mainly affects children who haven’t been vaccinated and although cases are still mostly amongst children, whooping cough can infect adults who have been vaccinated, but the protection from the vaccine has started to fade.

“In most cases, whooping cough will present symptoms very similar to a common cold, such as a runny nose and a sore throat, but these symptoms will intensify over the course of a week. Around seven days after being infected with whooping cough, longer coughing bouts will take hold and are most common during the night. As well as this, the intensity of the coughing bouts can cause breathing difficulties and produce thick mucus.

“The best protection against whooping cough is to have children vaccinated and for adults to accept booster vaccines where applicable. However, if you do become infected and experience symptoms including vomiting, difficulty breathing and you notice your face turning red or blue, seek medical attention. In most cases, a course of antibiotics will be prescribed by your GP, but the symptoms could last several weeks or months.”

The NHS advises asking for an urgent GP appointment or seeking help from NHS 11 if your baby is under six months old and has symptoms, if you or your child have a bad cough that is getting worse, or if you’re pregnant – or if you or your child have a weakened immune system – and have been in contact with someone with Whooping Cough.

The recent increase in suspected cases comes as NHS figures show that vaccine uptake is falling, with around one in 10 babies not receiving the six-in-one jab – which protects against whooping cough and also fights polio, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B, and haemophilus influenzae type B – by their first birthday. Meanwhile, four in 10 expectant mothers do not take the maternal whooping cough vaccine, which protects their unborn baby.

The UKHSA says that while notifications of suspected whooping cough infections sent by GPs are high, confirmed cases – which take longer to process – currently remain below pre-pandemic levels.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, Consultant Epidemiologist at UK Health Security Agency, said: “Whooping cough affects all ages, but for unvaccinated babies and very young children it can cause serious complications. It’s vital that pregnant women get vaccinated to protect their babies from birth and parents ensure infants receive their vaccines at eight, 12 and 16 weeks of age or as soon as possible after that if their vaccines are delayed.”