A leading expert at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust says people should get themselves and their babies vaccinated against whooping cough, if they haven’t done so already.
Dr Clive Graham, who is Clinical Director of Pathology at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, was speaking following a rise in the number of whooping cough cases in England.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported nearly 2,800 cases so far this year.
It fears this year could see lots of the bacterial infection. The last peak was in 2016 when 5,949 cases were recorded.
The infection can be particularly serious for babies and infants.
Dr Graham said: “Pertussis (whooping cough) is an unpleasant disease in adults and classically causes a prolonged (100 day) cough it can be fatal in young children.
“There is usually a three to five year cycle which probably reflects waning immunity in the population, vaccination protects the most vulnerable but is not long lasting.”
Dr Graham said babies prior to vaccination were most at risk and people should get themselves and their young vaccinated, particularly if they’re in an at risk group - in particular pregnant mums.”
Anyone who thinks they may have whooping cough should make an appointment with their doctor. Antibiotics can help interrupt the transmission of infection.
Half of cases seen so far this year in the UK have been in the under-15s, with the highest rates in babies under three months of age.
Sadly, five babies - all under three months old – have died this year. These are the first deaths since 2019.
Other parts of the UK and Europe are also seeing a rising number of cases.
The first signs are similar to a cold, with a runny nose and sore throat.
After about a week, the infection can develop into coughing bouts that last a few minutes and are typically worse at night.
Young babies may make a distinctive "whoop" or have difficulty breathing after a bout of coughing.
The bacterial infections spreads through coughs and sneezes.
People of all ages can catch whooping cough, but it is most serious for young children and babies.
Why are cases rising?
Known as pertussis or "100-day cough", the infection is a cyclical disease with peaks seen every three to five years.
UKHSA has said a steady decline in uptake of the vaccine and the very low numbers seen during the pandemic, as happened with other infections because of restrictions and public behaviour, were both factors in the rise in cases.
The agency said a peak year was therefore overdue.
In September 2023, the number of two-year-olds who completed their routine six-in-one vaccinations, which includes protection against pertussis, was 92.9%, compared with 96.3% in March 2014.
Uptake of the maternal pertussis vaccine, offered to women in every pregnancy, also dropped - from more than 70% in September 2017 to about 58% in September 2023.
Getting vaccinated while pregnant provides some protection to babies in the first months of life.
What can people do to protect themselves?
Health experts are urging those not vaccinated to come forward to get the jab.
Children who have not been vaccinated can still get the jab up to the age of 10.
Vaccination does not provide lifelong immunity against the disease, but subsequent infections tend to be mild.