Health bosses warn parents over '100-day' whooping cough as cases soar to eight-year high

Parents have been issued a warning over the rise of whooping cough cases, which reached an eight-year peak earlier this year.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) figures show that infections have increased by almost half in just one week. Around 824 people in the UK have so far had the illness confirmed in the week up to April 14, a rise of 40% from the 595 reported the previous week.

In the first two months of 2024, a staggering 1,468 cases were confirmed - 71% more than the same number for last year (858). The last time rates of the disease were so high was in 2016, when there were nearly 6,000 cases reported in England, reports ChronicleLive.

Whooping cough, dubbed the "100-day cough" though officially named pertussis, affects predominantly infants and young children, and is characterised by a whooping noise during coughing. The rise in cases comes as doctors re-iterate warnings for parents to get a crucial jab. While whooping cough is a bacterial disease, a vaccine is available both for babies and for during pregnancy.

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Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, said: "Whooping cough can affect people of all ages but for very young infants, it can be particularly serious. However, vaccinating pregnant women is highly effective in protecting babies from birth until they can receive their own vaccines."

"Parents can also help protect their children by ensuring they receive their vaccines at the right time or catching up as soon as possible if they have missed any. If you're unsure, please check your child's red book or get in touch with your GP surgery."

The NHS website says: