Whooping cough outbreak as Bristol sees hundreds of cases so far this year

Bristol has had the highest number of suspected cases of whooping cough in England and Wales so far this year, according to new figures. More than 450 cases were detected in the city in 2024 – including 73 in the four weeks to June 30.

This means that Bristol – where 464 infections have been reported this year – is an area with a high infection rate. Other areas of the country experiencing high levels of whooping cough infections so far this year include Nottingham (425), Birmingham (333) and Cardiff (323).

Elsewhere in the region, South Gloucestershire has reported 210 whooping cough infections this year – including 40 in June – and 110 infections have been identified in North Somerset, including 24 in June. In England and Wales, laboratory tests confirmed 7,599 cases of pertussis, a highly contagious respiratory infection more commonly known as whooping cough, between January and May 2024.

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This is around nine times higher than the 858 confirmed cases over 12 months in 2023. Around half of all cases were in people aged 15 and over who usually have only a mild illness but there was a large number (262) of cases in children. under three months of age who are at the highest risk of serious complications and death from whooping cough.

The UK’s Health Safety Agency has confirmed that nine babies have died in England since the start of the current outbreak. Separate figures show UKHSA received 939 whooping cough alerts in the week ending June 30 and more than 1,000 cases in each of the eight weeks before that.

These are notifications that GPs are required to send to the UKHSA whenever they diagnose a case of what they believe to be whooping cough. Although not confirmed by laboratory tests, they provide an early warning of possible disease outbreaks. Based on the number of laboratory-confirmed cases, approximately 23% later proved to be whooping cough.

The UKHSA says whooping cough is a cyclical disease and a peak year is “overdue”. But the rise in cases is said to have been helped by falling vaccination rates, with vaccination coverage for pregnant women to protect newborns up to 59 percent as of March, compared with peak coverage (73 percent) in 2017.

Timely vaccination during pregnancy and childhood is so important to protect vulnerable young infants from serious diseases. All babies are given three doses of 6-in-1 at eight weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks to protect against whooping cough and other serious diseases such as diphtheria and polio, with a pre-school booster given afterwards at three. – year olds.

Dr Mary Ramsay, UKHSA’s Director of Immunization, said: “Vaccination is the best defense against whooping cough and it is vital that pregnant women and young children get their shots at the right time. Pregnant women are given a whooping cough vaccine in each pregnancy, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks. This provides protection to their baby in the womb so that it is protected from birth in the first months of life, when they are most vulnerable and before they can receive their own vaccines.

“With cases continuing to rise and, sadly, nine infant deaths since the outbreak began last November, ensuring women are properly vaccinated during pregnancy has never been more important. Our thoughts and condolences are with those families who have lost their child so tragically.

Kate Brintworth, Chief Midwifery Officer for England, said: “The increase in whooping cough cases over the past six months, including several infant deaths, is a real concern and I would urge pregnant women to get vaccinated to protect their babies First. a few weeks of their lives. You can talk to your GP or maternity team if you have any questions about the vaccine.”

Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs. The first signs of the disease are similar to a cold, such as a runny nose and sore throat, but after about a week, the infection can turn into coughing fits that last a few minutes and are usually worse at night.

Young babies may also make a distinctive ‘whoop’ or have trouble breathing after a coughing fit, although not all babies make this noise, meaning whooping cough can be difficult to recognise. Anyone diagnosed with whooping cough should stay at home and not return to work, school or daycare until 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment, or two weeks after the onset of symptoms if they have not received antibiotics.

This helps prevent the spread of infection, especially to vulnerable groups, including infants. However, vaccination remains the best protection for babies and children.