Vaccinate children parents are warned as whooping cough cases increase

Parents are being urged to keep their children up-to-date with vaccinations as the number of whooping cough cases continues to increase.

So far, 665 laboratory confirmed cases have been reported to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) between January and March this year.

The true number of cases is likely to be higher, as not all cases may have been reported to the HPA.

In the whole of 2011, there were 1,040 cases, with the final total for 2012 set to be much higher.

The highest number of cases have been reported in the South East, with a total 154.

The South West region is close behind at 131 cases.

Whooping cough can affect people of all ages, but very young children have the highest risk of complications and death.

Pertussis – called whooping cough because of the “whoop” sound made at the end of a coughing fit, can be treated with antibiotics, but babies may need hospital care.

Head of immunisation at the HPA, Dr Mary Ramsay, said: “Whooping cough can be a very unpleasant infection. Anyone showing signs and symptoms – which include severe coughing fits accompanied by the characteristic “whoop” sound in young children but as a prolonged cough in older children and adults – should visit their GP.”

She warned that parents should make sure children are up to date with vaccinations to protect and prevent the spread of the infection.