Rhiannon Ingle
Even with summer just around the corner and the soaring temperatures that come with it, it's clear many people across the UK are still feeling slightly under the weather - and it's far worse than a tickly throat or even a nasty case of the sniffles sore throat.
There's been a rise in cases for the sickness, known as the '100-day cough' or whooping cough.
Now, as most parents know, this is not a concern to be taken lightly as whooping cough is very dangerous for newborn babies, with five infants already dying from the 'extremely serious' disease this year so far.
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According to new data published today (9 May) by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), cases of whooping cough continue to increase, with 1,319 cases confirmed in March.
This follows 556 cases in January and 918 in February, bringing the total number of cases in 2024 to 2,793.
And, tragically, from just January to March, there have been five infant deaths, with the UKHSA warning: "Young infants are at highest risk of severe complications and death from whooping cough."
It also added that the rates of whooping cough remain highest in babies under three months of age.
However, updated estimates of vaccine effectiveness in pregnancy shows high levels of protection (92 per cent) against infant death with 'timely vaccination' in pregnancy and in infancy proven to both be important to protect vulnerable young babies from the serious disease.
Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam, Consultant Epidemiologist at UK Health Security Agency, said: "Vaccination remains the best defence against whooping cough and it is vital that pregnant women and young infants receive their vaccines at the right time.
"Pregnant women are offered a whooping cough vaccine in every pregnancy, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks. This passes protection to their baby in the womb so that they are protected from birth in the first months of their life when they are most vulnerable and before they can receive their own vaccines.
"All babies are given three doses of the 6 in 1 jab at eight, 12 and 16 weeks of age to protect against whooping cough and other serious diseases such as diphtheria and polio with a pre-school booster offered at three years 4 months.
"Whooping cough can affect people of all ages but for very young babies it can be extremely serious. Our thoughts and condolences are with those families who have so tragically lost their baby."
NHS National Medical Director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, added: "With cases of whooping cough continuing to rise sharply across the country, and today's figures sadly showing five infant deaths, it is vital that families come forward to get the protection they need.
"If you are pregnant and have not been vaccinated yet, or your child is not up-to-date with whooping cough or other routine vaccinations, please contact your GP as soon as possible, and if you or your child show symptoms ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111."
The UKHSA recommends that if anyone in your family is diagnosed with whooping cough, it’s important they stay at home and do not go into work, school or nursery until 48 hours after starting antibiotics, or three weeks after symptoms start if they have not had antibiotics.
"This helps to prevent the spread of infection, especially to vulnerable groups, including infants. However, vaccination remains the best protection for babies and children," it adds.
You can find out more about whooping cough here.