Whooping cough

Whooping cough

Urgent warning over whooping cough as cases spike to decade high: Health chiefs beg parents to get children vaccinated. UKHSA bosses received 553 lab-confirmed reports of whooping cough cases in England alone in January. It marks a 61-fold rise on the 9 logged over the same month in 2023.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can be serious, especially for infants. Vaccination is the best way to prevent whooping cough and protect against its complications. Parents are urged to ensure their children are up to date with their vaccinations to help control the spread of this disease.

If you suspect you or your child may have whooping cough, it is important to seek medical advice promptly. Early diagnosis and treatment can help reduce the severity of symptoms and prevent the spread of the infection to others.