The suspected cases of the ‘100-day cough’ across Greater Manchester

The spread of the 100-day cough continues – with more suspected infections seen in the first five weeks of 2024 than at any time in the past decade.

In the last week, the UK Health Security Agency has received notifications of 412 suspected cases of whooping cough, a 20 per cent increase from the previous week and the fifth consecutive week that infections have increased. In total, there have been 1,416 suspected cases of whooping cough seen by GPs so far this year.

That is by far the highest total for the first five weeks of a year in more than a decade – and more than seven times higher than the 189 cases seen 10 years ago in the first five weeks of 2014. Wales continues to have more cases than any region of England, with 306, including 94 in the latest week.

In Greater Manchester, cases have doubled in the latest week, rising from eight to 17 in the week ending February 4. That takes the total of suspected cases seen in our area to 59 so far this year.

Manchester has seen the highest number of cases, with 14, followed by Trafford (eight) and Rochdale (eight).

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But the spread of whooping cough is gaining pace in other parts of England too, particularly the south east, north west, and London. There were 93 cases diagnosed in the south east last week, only one fewer than in Wales.

Of local authority areas, Swansea has had the highest number of infections overall in 2024, with 42. But cases in Hart in Hampshire almost trebled last week, rising to 29.

Hart now has the second-highest overall number of suspected cases (39) despite not seeing any infections until the final week of January.

These figures show the number of statutory notices that GPs must send to the UKHSA when they diagnose a suspected case of whooping cough. Infections have yet to be confirmed by a lab test, but they provide an early warning to identify possible outbreaks of infectious diseases.

You can see the suspected cases where you live with our interactive map.

Whooping cough – sometimes known as the ‘100-day cough’ – is a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes. It spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems.

Navin Khosla, a pharmacist at online pharmacy NowPatient, said: “For many years, whooping cough has been known as an infection which mainly affects children who haven’t been vaccinated and although cases are still mostly amongst children, whooping cough can infect adults who have been vaccinated, but the protection from the vaccine has started to fade.

“In most cases, whooping cough will present symptoms very similar to a common cold, such as a runny nose and a sore throat, but these symptoms will intensify over the course of a week. Around seven days after being infected with whooping cough, longer coughing bouts will take hold and are most common during the night.

“As well as this, the intensity of the coughing bouts can cause breathing difficulties and produce thick mucus. The best protection against whooping cough is to have children vaccinated and for adults to accept booster vaccines where applicable.

“However, if you do become infected and experience symptoms including vomiting, difficulty breathing and you notice your face turning red or blue, seek medical attention. In most cases, a course of antibiotics will be prescribed by your GP, but the symptoms could last several weeks or months.”

The NHS advises asking for an urgent GP appointment or seeking help from NHS 11 if your baby is under six months old and has symptoms, if you or your child have a bad cough that is getting worse, or if you’re pregnant – or if you or your child have a weakened immune system – and have been in contact with someone with whooping cough.

The recent increase in suspected cases comes as NHS figures show that vaccine uptake is falling, with around one in 10 babies not receiving the six-in-one jab – which protects against whooping cough and also fights polio, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B, and haemophilus influenzae type B – by their first birthday.

Meanwhile, four in 10 expectant mothers do not take the maternal whooping cough vaccine, which protects their unborn baby.
The UKHSA says that while notifications of suspected whooping cough infections sent by GPs are high, confirmed cases – which take longer to process – currently remain below pre-pandemic levels.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, Consultant Epidemiologist at UK Health Security Agency, said: “Whooping cough affects all ages, but for unvaccinated babies and very young children it can cause serious complications. It’s vital that pregnant women get vaccinated to protect their babies from birth and parents ensure infants receive their vaccines at eight, 12 and 16 weeks of age or as soon as possible after that if their vaccines are delayed.”