Three more babies have died from whooping cough this year as cases continue to rise across the country, according to the UK Health Security Agency.
Since January, there have been 4,793 confirmed cases of whooping cough, with 181 babies under the age of three months diagnosed with the illness. A total of eight babies have now died from whooping cough this year.
Pregnant women have been urged to get the whooping cough vaccine in order for their babies to be protected before they are old enough to receive the vaccine themselves.
Babies can first be vaccinated against the disease when eight weeks old, while pregnant women are advised to get the vaccine at 16 and 32 weeks.
Experts have said the true number of cases is likely to be higher, as mild cases can be misdiagnosed with other respiratory illnesses in the early stages when the infection can be tested for.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “Our thoughts and condolences are with those families who have so tragically lost their baby.
“With whooping cough case numbers across the country continuing to rise and sadly the further infant deaths in April, we are again reminded how severe the illness can be for very young babies.
“Pregnant women should have a whooping cough vaccine in every pregnancy, normally around the time of their mid-pregnancy scan (usually 20 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.
“The vaccine is crucial for pregnant women, to protect their babies from what can be a devastating illness.”
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is caused by a bacterium that is transmitted by coughing, sneezing or sharing the same breathing space as an infected person. Early indications include mild, cold-like symptoms, a low fever and occasional coughing. These usually last for one to two weeks, after which the coughing fits begin.
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It has been described as a “cyclical” disease, meaning the number of cases peak every few years. Experts have also said there is reduced immunity against the disease in the general public due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Prof Stephen Powis, the national medical director of NHS England, said: “With cases of whooping cough continuing to rise sharply across the country, and today’s figures from UKHSA sadly showing further infant deaths, it is vital that families come forward to get the protection they need.
“NHS teams are working hard to ensure local vaccination services are easily accessible for all through GP practices and some maternity services, and we urge all pregnant women to get vaccinated to help protect their babies in the first few weeks of their life – parents should also ensure that their children get protected in the first few months after birth as part of the routine NHS vaccine offer.”
