Whooping cough: Cases up again as five infant deaths reported
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Health authorities in England have disclosed that the number of whooping cough cases has been increasing and unfortunately, five babies have lost their lives due to the disease.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently released a report stating that England had 1,319 reported cases in March, which is an increase compared to February's total of just over 900. This brings the total number of cases in 2024 to almost 2,800.
There is concern that there could be a high number of cases of bacterial infection this year. In 2016, there were 5,949 reported cases in England, which was the peak year for this type of infection.
Young children, especially babies and infants, are at a higher risk of experiencing severe complications from the infection.
This year, half of the observed cases were children under 15 years old. The greatest number of cases was in babies less than three months old.
All of the babies that passed away this year were younger than three months old.
Referred to as pertussis or the "100-day cough", this illness is a recurring condition that has a surge in cases every three to five years.
According to UKHSA, the vaccine uptake in pregnant women and children has been decreasing steadily. This is due to a combination of factors, including the low number of vaccinations during the pandemic, which was also observed with other diseases due to restrictions and changes in public behavior.
The organization expressed that a year with the highest rate was long overdue and encouraged families to step up and receive the vaccination if they had not done so already.
During September 2023, the proportion of two-year-olds who received their routine vaccinations for six diseases, which included defense from whooping cough, was recorded at 92.9%. This number was lower than the 96.3% that was reported in March 2014.
The usage of the maternal pertussis vaccination, which is given to women during each pregnancy, also decreased significantly. In September 2017, over 70% of women received the vaccine, but by September 2023, only around 58% did.
According to Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam from UKHSA, the optimal way to protect oneself against whooping cough is through vaccination. For this reason, it is incredibly important that expectant mothers and young babies get their vaccines according to the recommended schedule.
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, has the potential to harm individuals of any age, but it can have severe ramifications for infants who are still in their early stages of life.
We offer our sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the families who have suffered a devastating loss of their infant.
The initial indications of pertussis resemble those of a common cold, exhibiting symptoms such as a congested or runny nose and a sore throat.
After approximately one week, the illness can progress and result in episodes of coughing that can endure for a few minutes and tend to be more severe during nighttime.
Babies who are still in their early years may exhibit a unique sound that resembles a "whoop" or experience challenges in breathing following an episode of coughing.
Experts recommend that anyone diagnosed with bacterial infection should remain at home until three weeks after the onset of symptoms or at least 48 hours after taking the first dose of antibiotics. The bacteria can spread through coughing and sneezing, so it's crucial for family members to take precautionary measures to avoid spreading the disease.
The statement made by Prof Kamila Hawthorne, who leads the Royal College of GPs, is quite alarming. The confirmation of numerous instances of whooping cough is a cause for great concern.
Although whooping cough can undoubtedly be an uncomfortable and unpleasant ordeal for many individuals, resulting in sleepless nights and leaving sufferers with breathing problems, it can be extremely severe for others.
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