Map reveals ‘100-day cough’ hotspots amid fears of ‘dangerous’ antibiotic shortage

PHARMACIES are facing shortages of two vital antibiotics used to treat whooping cough as the dangerous bug outbreak continues.

There have been 4,793 cases of the illness in England in 2024 – more than five times seen across the whole of 2023. 

The disease, which is most serious in children, has claimed the lives of eight infants between January and May.

The map [above] reveals whooping cough hotspots across England and Wales, based on suspected cases reported by GPs.  

Dr Leyla Hannbeck of the Independent Pharmacies Association told the Sun the shortages are “stressful for parents” who are being sent on a wild goose chase to find the right prescription.

“There are still other antibiotics available,” she said.

“But if the [medicine shortage] situation doesn’t improve soon it could get dangerous.”

While they may not relieve symptoms, the drugs can stop the infection from spreading to others.

Erythromycin 250mg tablets, one of the most widely used antibiotics for whooping cough, are currently “out of stock” and liquid clarithromycin, preferred for babies, is in short supply.

The latest medicine supply issue suggests medicine shortages in the UK are going from bad to worse.

In 2022, during an outbreak of Strep A, clarithromycin and penicillin were widely unavailable.

There have also been ongoing problems with the supply of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drugs, ADHD medicines, antidepressants and, most recently, insulin.

For whooping cough, GPs can prescribe one of four antibiotics: clarithromycin, erythromycin, azithromycin and co-trimoxazole.

Yet both 125mg/5ml and 250mg/5ml liquid versions of clarithromycin have been issued with SSPs. 

For babies, clarithromycin in liquid form is preferred, although azithromycin can also be used.

A medicine supply alert issued by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) warns that erythromycin 250mg tablets are currently out of stock until June 24.

Erythromycin 500mg tablets “remain available” but will be “unable to support an increase in demand”, it said.

DHSC bosses also confirmed there is “‘significant ongoing disruption” with two liquid versions of clarithromycin, issuing a serious shortage protocol (SSP). 

Under the SSP, the DHSC has advised pharmacists to instead source the tablets.

A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care, said: “We are working with primary care across England to support the management of whooping cough including the supply of antibiotics.

“The UK Health Security Agency and NHS England have been engaging local communities to highlight the importance of vaccination and make sure people know how to access the jabs as quickly as possible.”

How to tackle whooping cough without antibiotics

If whooping cough is diagnosed within three weeks of the infection, you’ll be given antibiotics to help stop it spreading to others. 

To ease the symptoms, you should rest and drink plenty of fluids.

Painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can also be taken, as well as hot lemon and honey drinks and herbal medicine called pelargonium (if over the age of 12).

Pharmacists can also advise on the best cough syrups, medicines, sweets, and supplements.

You should see your GP if a cough has lasted longer than three weeks, you are losing weight for no reason, or you have a weakened immune system.

How has your area been affected?

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) releases weekly whooping cough tallies for England and Wales, based on notifications it receives from doctors about suspected infectious disease cases.

Its most recent Notifications of Infectious Diseases (NOIDs) report for the week leading up to June 9 suggests infection rates are highest in the South East and London.

GPs reported 168 suspected cases of whooping cough in the South East between June 3 and June 9, while London saw 123 new cases in the same period.

The East Midlands also became a whooping cough hotspot, with 119 new cases flagged.

West Midlands followed closely with 116 infections.

Meanwhile, doctors in Yorkshire and Humber notified UKHSA of 115 new whooping cough cases in the first week of May.

Next came the South West with 113 new infections, the North West with 101 and Wales with 98

East of England only saw 94 cases, while the North East saw just 24.

Get vaccinated

The best way to protect your family from whooping cough is by getting vaccinated.

Parents have been urged to check that their child is protected, and the UKHSA is reminding mums-to-be to get the jab so their babies are protected at birth.

It is offered as part of the six-in-one jab when babies are eight, 12 and 16 weeks old.

Jab uptake in pregnant women has fallen to a seven-year low.

It dropped from over 70 per cent in September 2017 to around 58 per cent in September 2023.

Vaccine rates in children have also fallen – especially in parts of London where fewer than three in five kids are fully protected.

The number of two-year-olds who completed their six-in-one vaccinations as of September 2023 is 92.9 per cent, compared with 96.3 per cent in March 2014.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, said: “Whooping cough can affect people of all ages but for very young infants, it can be particularly serious.

“However, vaccinating pregnant women is highly effective in protecting babies from birth until they can receive their own vaccines.

“Parents can also help protect their children by ensuring they receive their vaccines at the right time or catching up as soon as possible if they have missed any.

“If you’re unsure, please check your child’s red book or get in touch with your GP surgery.”