Another baby dies after contracting whooping cough, UKHSA says

A baby has died after contracting whooping cough, bringing the total number of deaths from the disease in the current outbreak in England to 10, the UK’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.

The latest data from the government agency shows the number of confirmed laboratory cases of whooping cough in England passed 10,000 in the year to June.

Most cases have occurred in people 15 years and older, but more than 300 cases have been reported in infants under 3 months of age, who are at greatest risk of infection.

The current outbreak is believed to have started in November last year.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Immunisation at UKHSA, said: “Vaccination is the best defence against whooping cough and it is vital that pregnant women and young babies get their vaccines at the right time.

“Pregnant women are offered a whooping cough vaccine at every pregnancy, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks. This provides protection to their baby in the womb, so that they are protected from birth in the first few months of life, when they are most vulnerable and before they can receive their own vaccines.”