Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease.

Officials at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said another baby has died from a whooping cough infection, bringing the total number of infant deaths since the outbreak began in England to 10.

The deaths are consistent with recent UKHSA figures showing that laboratory-confirmed cases of whooping cough in England have exceeded 10,000 this year. While most cases are in people aged 15 and over, more than 300 are in children under three months of age – the group most at risk of infection.

The outbreak is believed to have started in England last November and 10 newborns have now been confirmed dead. The first death was reported in December 2023, and the rest occurred between January and June 2024.

Whooping cough is making a comeback in many parts of the world, with deaths in China, the Philippines, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, and outbreaks in countries including the United States and the United Kingdom, Bloomberg reports.

What is whooping cough?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the highly contagious disease is caused by a bacterium called Bordetella pertussis, which targets the upper respiratory system, releasing toxins that cause airway inflammation. Swelling occurs.

What are the symptoms?

Early symptoms of whooping cough are similar to those of the common cold – with a stuffy nose, low-grade fever and mild cough often reported. This makes it difficult to diagnose until more severe symptoms appear.

According to the CDC, after a week or two the symptoms progress to “rapid, violent, and uncontrollable coughing fits,” with a high-pitched “whoop” sound upon exhalation at the end of the fit. Coughing fits can last up to 10 weeks.

Who is most at risk?

Children are more likely to suffer from the most violent symptoms of whooping cough, as children usually do not cough but may stop breathing. Adolescents and adults often have milder symptoms, but even so, debilitating coughing fits keep them awake at night. A complicating factor is that adults with no obvious symptoms of the disease can continue to spread the infection.

How do you treat it?

Once diagnosed, preferably before the cough starts, doctors will usually treat the infection with antibiotics. If a patient has had a cough for more than three weeks, antibiotics are not needed because the bacteria have likely cleared and the cough is a result of damage to the airways.

Is there a whooping cough vaccine?

In China, free vaccines are usually given in a combined shot that also protects children against diphtheria and tetanus. There are two vaccines available in the US – one for children under seven years of age, and one for people over seven years of age. In the UK, shots are routinely given to children, while the Philippines has warned of a possible shortage of supplies until May.

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