UK health officials are sounding the alarm following a notable surge in whooping cough cases, prompting urgent calls for vaccination among women, particularly those pregnant. The UK Health Security Agency reported a significant increase in whooping cough, also known as pertussis, with 553 cases identified in January 2024 alone. This figure eclipses the total cases reported in the first ten months of the prior year. Notably, the disease can lead to persistent coughing fits lasting more than three months, earning it the moniker the “100-day cough.”

This alarming rise in pertussis cases is primarily attributed to a decline in vaccination rates among pregnant women and children. Infants under three months old are especially vulnerable to severe complications from the disease, highlighted by the 22 infants diagnosed in January. The vaccine is paramount for this age group, as it is administered to pregnant women to confer immunity to their newborns. However, data reveals a concerning trend in London, where vaccination rates for babies by the age of two are notably below the national average, with more than one in ten children not vaccinated.

Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam, a Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, underscored the critical nature of timely vaccinations to protect against whooping cough. The NHS England’s National Director for Vaccinations and Screening, Steve Russell, also reinforced the call for families to prioritize vaccination to protect against the disease. In response to the uptick in infections, the UK Health Security Agency announced it would begin reporting monthly case figures to better monitor the situation.

Individuals diagnosed with whooping cough are advised to isolate at home and avoid places like schools or workplaces until 48 hours after beginning antibiotic treatment, or three weeks after the onset of symptoms if antibiotics are not used. The resurgence in whooping cough cases is linked to reduced social interactions during the Covid-19 pandemic and declining vaccine uptake, emphasizing the ongoing importance of vaccination in mitigating the spread of this highly infectious condition.