Number of whooping cough cases reaches four year peak

The number of cases of whooping cough in England and Wales doubled during 2011, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

In 2010, the number of reported cases came to 421. This more than doubled to 1040 during 2011.

The HPA say the increase in levels happens every three to four years and match the last recorded peak year of 2008.

There were 902 laboratory confirmed cases in 2008, dropping to 722 in 2009 and down again to 421 in 2010.

The largest number of cases during 2011 was reported in the South East, totalling 182. The South West was second with163.

London only reported 87 cases and the lowest hit place was the West Midlands with 65.

The DtaP/IPV/Hib of the vaccination programme protects against whooping cough, diptheria, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b – a cause of meningitis – and tetanus.

It is offered at two, three and four months of age with a booster before starting school.

The vaccination programme is the best control measure to prevent the spread of the disease, with children building high levels of immunity by receiving all the doses.

Between July and September 2011, the uptake for the vaccination was 94.8 per cent of children in the UK.

Though whooping cough – also known as pertussis – is mostly known as being an illness affecting the young, the HPA say they have seen an increase in teen and adult cases between the ages of 15 and 40 years of age.

Whooping cough can be serious in babies and children, with infants and toddlers at the highest risk of severe complications and death.

The illness can be treated with antibiotics, but babies are likely to need hospital care.

Spokesperson for the HPA,  Dr Mary Ramsay said: “We usually see a rise in cases of whooping cough every three to four years as the disease peaks in cycles, with 2008 being the last peak year.

“The uptake of the vaccine which protects against whooping cough is very good but it is a highly infectious disease so when there is a case it can spread quickly. Parents should ensure their children are up to date with their vaccinations so that they are protected at the earliest opportunity. The pre-school booster is also important, not only to boost protection in that child but also to help prevent them passing the infection on to vulnerable babies, as those under four months cannot be fully protected by the vaccine.”