Cases of whooping cough are on the rise in Devon and Cornwall

The number of suspected cases of whooping cough in Devon and Cornwall last month was more than double the total in 2023, according to the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA).

Forty-seven infections were suspected in Devon and Cornwall in April, up from 20 in the 12 months last year, the latest figures said.

The bacterial disease can be life-threatening for newborns.

All pregnant women are eligible for the whooping cough vaccine after 16 weeks.

“Catastrophic Contact”

A total of 2,793 confirmed cases of whooping cough have been reported so far this year in England and Wales.

Five babies are now known to have died from the disease in England between January and March.

Newborns had no protection unless their mothers were vaccinated during pregnancy, the midwives said.

Charlie Perkin, a midwife at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, said: “I don’t think a lot of people know how bad it can be.

“Newborns have no immunity at all and we can’t vaccinate them until they are eight weeks old.

“The disease is spread through coughs and sneezes, so if someone comes into contact with them, say, just to hold them, they can get it and it can be pretty catastrophic.”

Vaccination use has fallen across the country and in Cornwall.

The latest statistics show the county was below the national average, with England recording an uptake of 59.5% and Cornwall just 54.2%.

Devon recorded an uptake of 68.1% recently, UKHSA said.

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