Whooping cough cases continue to fall in number

After sky high numbers during peak year 2012, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has announced a reduction in the number of whooping cough cases so far this year.

During 2012, there were nearly 10,000 confirmed cases reported in England and Wales. This was nearly ten times the amount reported in 2011.

In December, the number of cases finally slowed down, but there was another infant death due to whooping cough.

During 2012,  the total number of babies under three months of age that died from whooping cough came to 14.

Head of immunisation at the HPA, Dr. Mary Ramsay reminded pregnant women and parents of the importance of making sure their children are vaccinated against whopping cough on time.

She said:“It is very encouraging to see that 55 per cent of pregnant women delivering in December in England had accepted the offer of a vaccination against whooping cough. We would like to remind pregnant women how serious this infection can be in young babies and how it can in some cases cause death.”

Parents should be aware of the signs and symptoms of whooping cough – which includes severe coughing fits that may be accompanied by the characteristic “whoop” sound in young children. Older children or adults will usually just have a prolonged cough.