Health officials have issued a fresh plea for women to get vaccinated following a significant rise in whooping cough cases.
Data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that 553 cases of whooping cough were recorded in January, more than the first ten months of 2023 combined.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection which is spread through the coughs and sneezes of an infected person.
It causes repeated coughing that can last for three months or more, giving it the nickname the "100 day" cough. The first symptoms are similar to those of a cold and intense coughing bouts start around a week later.
Young babies may also make a distinctive “whoop” or have difficulty breathing after a bout of coughing.
Whooping cough can cause serious complications in infants, who are likely to be admitted to hospital.
Data for January show that there were 22 infants aged under three months diagnosed with the disease.
In a statement, the UKHSA said the rise in cases followed a "prolonged period of low case numbers due to restrictions and reduced social mixing" during the Covid pandemic.
"We know that cases of whooping cough rise cyclically every few years, with the last peak year, 2016, recording 5,949 cases. The current increase is coming at a time when there has been a steady decline in uptake of the vaccine in pregnant women and in children," they said.
A vaccine against whooping cough is given to pregnant women to provide protection for their newborn babies.
The jab is also given to children as part of the "six-in-one" vaccine given to babies when they are 8, 12 and 16 weeks old.
But the latest figures show that more than one in ten (11.1 per cent) babies had not received the jab by the age of two as of September last year in London. It is the lowest total of any region in England and 4.5 per cent below the national average.
In January, the Standard reported how whooping cough infections had doubled in London - prompting the UKHSA to urge parents to look out for symptoms.
The UKHSA will report case numbers on a monthly basis following the recent rise in infections.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, Consultant Epidemiologist at UK Health Security Agency, 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: "With whooping cough on the rise, it is important that families come forward to get the protection they need.
"If you are pregnant and have not been vaccinated yet, or your child is not up-to-date with whooping cough or other routine vaccinations, please contact your GP as soon as possible, and if you or your child have symptoms ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111."
Anyone diagnosed with whooping cough is urged to stay at home and not go into work, school or nursery until 48 hours after starting antibiotics, or three weeks after symptoms start if they have not had antibiotics.
