As cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, continue to surge across the UK, figures released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have shed light on the prevalence of the infection in southeast London boroughs.
Whooping cough, a highly contagious bacterial infection affecting the lungs and breathing tubes, is characterized by distinctive coughing fits lasting several minutes. While the illness can affect individuals of all ages, it poses a particularly serious risk to infants, prompting health authorities to emphasize the importance of vaccination for pregnant women and parents of young babies.
In week 19 of 2024, a total of 128 cases of whooping cough were reported across London, with 20 cases identified in southeast London alone. Lewisham emerged with the highest number of recorded cases during that period, totalling eight, followed by Bromley and Southwark, each with four cases. Bexley and Greenwich reported two cases each in their respective boroughs during the same week.
The nickname “100-day cough” underscores the prolonged recovery period associated with the infection, underscoring its debilitating impact on those affected.
Recent data published by the UKHSA underscored the escalating trend of whooping cough cases nationwide, with 1,319 cases confirmed in March 2024 alone. While the majority of cases (50.8 per cent) were observed in children aged 15 or younger, infants under three months old remain at the highest risk.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, emphasized the severity of whooping cough, particularly for young infants, expressing condolences to families affected by the illness. Stressing the importance of vaccination, Dr Amirthalingam reiterated the critical need for pregnant women and young infants to receive timely immunizations.
The latest figures serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by whooping cough and the imperative of vaccination efforts to safeguard vulnerable populations against this preventable disease.
