The map shows the number of whooping cough cases in Coventry and Warwickshire after the deaths of five UK babies

A map has highlighted the areas where the most suspected cases of whooping cough have been recorded with parts of the south of the county worst affected. It comes as nationally, five babies have died as ‘100-day cough’ infections continue to spread.

Rugby has had the most cases in our area so far this year, 24. Coventry has had 15 confirmed cases so far this year.

But the city has only had four cases in the past week. Warwick has had the same number of recent cases. You can see the full breakdown of our area in a list below and there is also an interactive map showing the breakdown across the country.

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New figures from the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) show 1,319 laboratory-confirmed cases in March. This is followed by 556 cases in January and 918 in February, bringing the total to 2,793 cases in 2024.

By this time last year, there were only 30 laboratory-confirmed cases. Tragically, the UKHSA has now confirmed that five infants – who are most at risk of severe complications – died in the first quarter of the year between January and March.

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. 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. From the first week of January to the end of March, GPs found 4,853 suspected cases in England, meaning around 58% were later confirmed by laboratory tests.

So far this year, in the week ending April 21, GPs have diagnosed 6,815 suspected cases in England and another 1,198 in Wales, a total of 8,013. Nottingham recorded the highest number of suspected cases with 187, followed by the Vale of Glamorgan (150), Cardiff (147), Swansea (138) and Northumberland (135).

You can see suspicious cases nearby with our interactive map.

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.”

How many cases have been registered in our area?

North Warwickshire

Cases this year: 2

Cases this week: 0

Nuneaton and Bedworth

Cases this year: 3

Cases this week: 0

Coventry

Cases this year: 15

Cases this week: 4

Solihull

Cases this year: 15

Cases this week: 2

Rugby

Cases this year: 24

Cases this week: 3

Warwick

Cases this year: 16

Cases this week: 4

Stratford-upon-Avon

Cases this year: 16

Cases this week: 2

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