Whooping cough in Cornwall cases rising as infections hit record high

A pharmacist has shared their coughing hack

GPs have diagnosed more suspected cases of the “100-day cough” in the first five weeks of 2024 than at any time in the past decade. While figures remain relatively low in Cornwall, they imply that the infection is spreading.

In the past week, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has received notifications of 412 suspected cases of whooping cough, a 20 per cent increase from the previous week and the fifth consecutive week that infections have increased.

In total, there have been 1,416 suspected cases of whooping cough seen by GPs so far this year. That is by far the highest total for the first five weeks of a year 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.

In Cornwall cases remain light compared to many areas, with only three suspected cases of whooping cough diagnosed by GPs so far this year. But those infections have been spotted in each of the past three weeks, suggesting a potential to spread.

Cases are also low across the region, with just 37 suspected infections in the South West so far this year, the lowest of any region. But cases have been growing. There were 11 suspected infections in the past week, double the five cases seen the previous week.

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These figures show the number of statutory notices that GPs must send to the UKHSA when they diagnose a suspected case of whooping cough. Infections have yet to be confirmed by a lab test, but they provide an early warning to identify possible outbreaks of infectious diseases.

You can compare the number of suspected cases in Cornwall with the rest of the country with our interactive map.

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.

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.”

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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 UKHSA, 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.”