Is your child living in a whooping cough danger zone? Map reveals worst hotspots as cases double in a month

THE areas where you are most likely to catch whooping cough have been revealed on a map as cases of the bug surge in parts of the UK.

Infections are running rife in Wales, London and Yorkshire, but children living in the South East are most at risk, a report has shown.

It comes as separate data of confirmed cases revealed a worrying rise in the number of people with the disease in England and Wales.

There were 552 confirmed new infections in England in January alone, compared to 858 for the whole of 2023, according to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data.

They fear it could be a particularly bad year for the Dickensian infection.

The last peak year, back in 2016, saw 5,949 cases in England.

Separate weekly figures about suspected cases of infectious diseases in England and Wales, known as the notification of infectious diseases data (NOID), show where outbreaks are likely happening.

From February 26 to March 3, 459 cases of suspected whooping cough were reported by doctors.

The South East was one of the hardest-hit areas in the UK within the last week – with 86 suspected cases, followed closely by the Wales , with 71.

London and Yorkshire and the Humber came in as the third and fourth worst affected areas, having reported 65 and 64 cases, respectively.

Doctors in North West reported 52 suspected cases, making it the fifth most affected area.

The East and West Midlands came in joint sixth – both having reported 32 cases.

The East of England came in seventh, with 29 infections, the North Eats following closely behind with 26.

The South West was the least affected area, with just two cases in the whole region.

Not all are later confirmed to be the disease by laboratory tests.

Get jabbed

Known as pertussis the infection can be extremely serious – fatal even – especially for children and babies who haven’t been vaccinated.

The condition spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems, including rib fractures, pneumonia and seizures.

It can last for several months, which is why it’s often dubbed the “100-day cough“.

An increase in cases in 2024 comes at a time when there has been a steady decline in uptake of the vaccine against whooping cough in pregnant women and children, the UKHSA has previously warned.

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.

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.”

Steve Russell, national director for vaccinations and screening at NHS England, said that people can contact their GP to book in a vaccination appointment.

People with symptoms should “ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111”, he added.

Those with confirmed whooping cough are advised to stay at home for 48 hours after starting antibiotics, or three weeks after symptoms start if they have not had antibiotics.