Another infant has died after being diagnosed with whooping cough, bringing the total number of death cases of babies to 10.
According to the UK health security agency (UKHSA), the latest data showed that the confirmed cases between April to June 2024 exceeds those in any quarter of the last major 2012 outbreak year.
Young babies are at highest risk of severe complications and death from whooping cough.Evidence from England shows that vaccination at the right time in pregnancy is highly effective, giving 92% protection against infant death.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, has been prevalent in all areas of England and many other nations since the latter part of 2023. This surge is attributed to various factors, including the cyclical nature of the disease, which typically peaks every 3 to 5 years.
The previous cyclical increase was observed in 2016, following an earlier outbreak in 2012. However, similar to other illnesses, the number of whooping cough cases significantly decreased during the pandemic due to restrictions and public behaviours. As a result, a peak year is now overdue, and the population’s immunity to whooping cough has diminished.
Recent data reveals a continuing decline in the uptake of the whooping cough vaccination offered to expectant mothers to safeguard newborn infants.
The latest uptake data for the vaccination offered to pregnant women to protect newborn infants against whooping cough continues to decline – with coverage in March 2024 at 58.9% compared to the peak coverage (72.6%) in March 2017. This decrease in vaccination coverage is a concerning trend that may contribute to the increased incidence of whooping cough in the population.
Symptoms of whooping cough
Pertussis is a lung infection caused by bacteria. Initially, the symptoms resemble those of a common cold, including a runny nose and sore throat. However, after approximately seven days, the infection can progress into prolonged coughing episodes that are more severe during the night.
In infants, these coughing fits may be accompanied by a characteristic ‘whoop’ sound or breathing difficulties. It’s important to note that not all babies produce this distinctive noise, which can make whooping cough challenging to identify in some cases.
How do you catch whooping cough?
Whooping cough is transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing tiny droplets containing the bacteria. According to Dr Kathryn Basford, “Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness, meaning it spreads through the air via tiny droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can be inhaled by others nearby.”
The bacteria responsible for whooping cough can also survive on surfaces that have been touched by an infected person. If someone else comes into contact with these contaminated surfaces and then touches their face, particularly their eyes, nose, or mouth, they can become infected indirectly, he added, as per Independent.
What to do if a person diagnosed with whooping cough?
If anyone in your family is diagnosed with whooping cough, it’s important they stay at home and do not go into work, school or nursery until 48 hours after starting antibiotics, or 2 weeks after symptoms start if they have not had antibiotics. This helps to prevent the spread of infection, especially to vulnerable groups, including infants. However, vaccination remains the best protection for babies and children.
How to prevent whooping cough?
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,” Dr Mary Ramsay, director of immunisation at UK health security agency, said.
“With cases continuing to rise and, sadly, 10 infant deaths since the outbreak began last November, ensuring women are vaccinated in pregnancy has never been more important. Our thoughts and condolences are with those families who have so tragically lost their baby,” he added.
According to the UK health security agency (UKHSA), the latest data showed that the confirmed cases between April to June 2024 exceeds those in any quarter of the last major 2012 outbreak year.
Young babies are at highest risk of severe complications and death from whooping cough.Evidence from England shows that vaccination at the right time in pregnancy is highly effective, giving 92% protection against infant death.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, has been prevalent in all areas of England and many other nations since the latter part of 2023. This surge is attributed to various factors, including the cyclical nature of the disease, which typically peaks every 3 to 5 years.
The previous cyclical increase was observed in 2016, following an earlier outbreak in 2012. However, similar to other illnesses, the number of whooping cough cases significantly decreased during the pandemic due to restrictions and public behaviours. As a result, a peak year is now overdue, and the population’s immunity to whooping cough has diminished.
Recent data reveals a continuing decline in the uptake of the whooping cough vaccination offered to expectant mothers to safeguard newborn infants.
The latest uptake data for the vaccination offered to pregnant women to protect newborn infants against whooping cough continues to decline – with coverage in March 2024 at 58.9% compared to the peak coverage (72.6%) in March 2017. This decrease in vaccination coverage is a concerning trend that may contribute to the increased incidence of whooping cough in the population.
Symptoms of whooping cough
Pertussis is a lung infection caused by bacteria. Initially, the symptoms resemble those of a common cold, including a runny nose and sore throat. However, after approximately seven days, the infection can progress into prolonged coughing episodes that are more severe during the night.
In infants, these coughing fits may be accompanied by a characteristic ‘whoop’ sound or breathing difficulties. It’s important to note that not all babies produce this distinctive noise, which can make whooping cough challenging to identify in some cases.
How do you catch whooping cough?
Whooping cough is transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing tiny droplets containing the bacteria. According to Dr Kathryn Basford, “Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness, meaning it spreads through the air via tiny droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can be inhaled by others nearby.”
The bacteria responsible for whooping cough can also survive on surfaces that have been touched by an infected person. If someone else comes into contact with these contaminated surfaces and then touches their face, particularly their eyes, nose, or mouth, they can become infected indirectly, he added, as per Independent.
What to do if a person diagnosed with whooping cough?
If anyone in your family is diagnosed with whooping cough, it’s important they stay at home and do not go into work, school or nursery until 48 hours after starting antibiotics, or 2 weeks after symptoms start if they have not had antibiotics. This helps to prevent the spread of infection, especially to vulnerable groups, including infants. However, vaccination remains the best protection for babies and children.
How to prevent whooping cough?
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,” Dr Mary Ramsay, director of immunisation at UK health security agency, said.
“With cases continuing to rise and, sadly, 10 infant deaths since the outbreak began last November, ensuring women are vaccinated in pregnancy has never been more important. Our thoughts and condolences are with those families who have so tragically lost their baby,” he added.
