The map shows where the suspected cases of whooping cough are in Merseyside

Although the UKHSA has not published data showing the locations where outbreaks have been confirmed, it is possible to map whooping cough notifications.

These are alerts that GPs are required to send to the UKHSA every time they diagnose a case of what they believe to be whooping cough.

So far this year, in the week ending April 21, GPs have diagnosed 268 suspected cases in Merseyside, including 14 in the past week.

Liverpool had the most cases with 104, followed by Sefton with 72 and Wirral with 54. You can see suspected cases near you with our interactive map.

Cases have increased in England due to a “combination” of factors, including the cyclical nature of the disease and the impact and isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to reduced immunity in the population. Vaccine uptake has also declined in recent years.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, consultant epidemiologist for the UKHSA, said: “Vaccination remains the best defense against whooping cough and it is vital that pregnant women and young children receive their vaccines at the right time.

“Pregnant women are given a whooping cough vaccine in every 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.

“All babies are given three doses of 6 in 1 at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age to protect against whooping cough and other serious diseases such as diphtheria and polio, with a preschool booster given at 3 years and 4 months. .

“Whooping cough can affect people of all ages, but for very young children it can be extremely serious. Our thoughts and condolences go out to those families who have lost their child so tragically.”
Four in 10 expectant mothers do not get the maternal pertussis vaccination, while about one in 12 infants do not receive the 6-in-1 vaccine by their first birthday.

Whooping cough – known clinically as pertussis, but sometimes known as the “100-day cough” because of the time it takes to shake it off – is a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes. It spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems.

While around half of confirmed cases in England up to March this year were in teenagers and adults aged 15 and over (51%, or 1,420 cases), 108 were seen in babies under three months old , who are most at risk of severe illness. and too young to be fully vaccinated.

This is more than double the number of cases over the entire past year in infants of this age (48).

NHS National Medical Director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “With cases of whooping cough continuing to rise sharply across the country and today’s figures sadly showing five child deaths, it is vital that families come forward to get the protection they need.

“If you are pregnant and have not yet been vaccinated or your child is not up to date with whooping cough or other routine vaccinations, please contact your GP as soon as possible and if you or your child are showing symptoms ask for an urgent appointment see a doctor or get help from NHS 111.”

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