Warning as cases of '100-day-cough' reaches decade high for parts of the UK
Health officials in Wales have issued a warning as cases of the "100-day-cough" have reached a decade high.
Public Health Wales has urged those eligible to get vaccinated against whooping cough as cases have risen to levels that were seen in 2012 and 2015.
Whooping cough is highly contagious and can lead to serious health complications. According to PHW, babies under six months old are at most risk.
It can be very serious and lead to pneumonia and permanent brain damage. Young babies with whooping cough are at risk of dying from the disease. The vaccine for whooping cough (or pertussis) is routinely offered to pregnant women to give their unborn baby protection in the first few weeks following their birth.
The six-in-one vaccine is given to babies at eight, 12 and 16 weeks and then again to pre-school-aged children. PHW said in recent weeks, cases of whooping cough have shown a "rapid increase".
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According to PHW, whooping cough is an infection of the lungs and breathing tubes caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. It spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems, especially in infants under one year of age. Health experts have warned that whooping cough tends to surge every 3-4 years. However, due to reduced social mixing during the pandemic from 2020 to 2022, the virus has spiked more than usual this year.
Public Health Wales (PHW) stated: "current not current notifications are at levels not seen since 2012 and 2015." While confirmed cases haven't risen alongside suspected ones yet, they're likely to increase once test results come in.
PHW also revealed that vaccination rates during pregnancy have dropped from over 80% to 70% in the past year, reports Wales Online. Dr Christopher Johnson, a Consultant Epidemiologist and Head of Public Health Wales' Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme explained: "We typically see high rates of whooping cough peaking every three to four years, and with rates suppressed during the lockdowns of the pandemic we are naturally seeing a resurgence this year."
He added: "Whooping cough is highly contagious and is spread by breathing in small droplets in the air from other people's coughs and sneezes. Babies under six months old are at most risk. It can be very serious and lead to pneumonia and permanent brain damage. Young babies with whooping cough are at risk of dying from the disease."
"The protection you receive from the pertussis vaccine in pregnancy passes on to your unborn baby and protects the baby in the first few weeks of their life until they receive their first routine immunisation when they are two months old. The vaccine also protects you from getting whooping cough and lowers the risk of you passing it on to your baby."
"We would urge all pregnant women and parents of babies and young children to ensure they take up their offer of vaccination when given, or to ask their GP, midwife or health visitor if they believe they may not have had it."
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