- Whooping cough cases have surged by almost 2,600 in a single month in England, with more than 7,500 cases recorded in 2024 — almost nine times the level seen in 2023
- Nine babies have died since November, making it the deadliest outbreak in a decade, with health officials warning that the infection is difficult to differentiate from a cold initially
- Vaccination rates have dropped due to growing jab scepticism, with health officials urging pregnant women to get the vaccine to protect their babies
- Antibiotics are crucial in treating whooping cough, although there is currently a shortage of these medications in the UK
- The outbreak is attributed to reduced immunity in the population due to Covid lockdowns, with experts fearing the toll may continue to rise.
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Infectious Diseases, Public Health & Prevention, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology