Health officials in the U.K. are sounding the alarm as cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, have soared by 250% this year. Between July and November, there were 716 reported cases of the bacterial lung infection, a staggering three times higher than the same period in 2022, according to the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

The rise in cases has health experts worried, particularly as vaccination rates for pertussis reach their lowest level in seven years. Government data shows that in 2022, the average vaccine uptake in England was 61.5%, marking a decrease of 3.9% since 2021 and 7.6% since 2020. This decline in vaccination rates may be one of the contributing factors to the increase in pertussis cases.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of infections had initially decreased due to social distancing and lockdown policies. However, with the easing of restrictions, cases of whooping cough are now on the rise. According to Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam, Deputy Director of Public Health Programs at the UKHSA, the recent surge in cases might be attributed to missed vaccination appointments, possibly resulting from disruptions caused by the pandemic.

Professor Beate Kampmann of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine emphasized the importance of vaccination in preventing severe disease. Vaccinating mothers during pregnancy ensures that protective antibodies are passed on to the baby, providing a crucial shield until the baby receives its own vaccines. Professor Kampmann stressed the need for individuals to review their vaccination records to ensure they have not missed the pertussis vaccine, which is administered along with routine childhood immunizations and during pregnancy.

Pertussis, commonly referred to as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can cause serious illness, particularly in infants and children. Its trademark symptom is intense, uncontrollable coughing that can make breathing difficult. The coughing fits may be followed by a "whooping" sound as the infected individual gasps for air. In severe cases, the violent coughing can lead to vomiting and even fractured ribs. The illness is sometimes known as the "100-day cough" because it can persist for several weeks or months.

The National Health Service (NHS) emphasizes that whooping cough is easily preventable through vaccination. However, with vaccine rates reaching their lowest level in seven years, health officials are urging parents to prioritize their children's immunization. The NHS advises parents to seek medical attention if they or their child exhibit whooping cough symptoms or experience a cold that worsens over three weeks.

The treatment for whooping cough depends on the age of the patient and the duration of the infection. Babies under six months old with severe cases may require hospital treatment. Antibiotics play a crucial role in fighting the infection and preventing its spread to others, especially if the illness is diagnosed within three weeks of infection. However, patients who have had whooping cough for more than three weeks are no longer contagious and do not require antibiotics.

With the alarming surge in whooping cough cases and declining vaccination rates, health officials are urging the public to prioritize immunization to protect against this highly contagious respiratory disease.