Scotland reports more than 5,000 whooping cough cases year to date
In a report published today by Public Health Scotland (PHS), health officials are reporting on the increase in cases of whooping cough (pertussis) since the end of 2023 in Scotland.
The report shows 5,270 laboratory confirmed cases of whooping cough between 1 January and 15 July 2024. Most cases are in those aged 15 years or older, however the highest incidence rate is between those aged ten and 14 years old.
The report also confirms that tragically there has been one death this year in an infant under the age of one who developed whooping cough.
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Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the lungs and airways, with unimmunized infants more likely to develop complications which can require hospital treatment. It can be prevented with immunization which is given to pregnant women, infants and younger children.
With whooping cough expected to continue to circulate at high levels until the autumn, PHS is encouraging pregnant women to ensure they are immunized between weeks 16 and 32 of their pregnancy.
Dr Nick Phin, Director of Public Health Science at PHS said:
“Immunization is the most effective way to protect against whooping cough. It can cause severe illness and death, particularly in young unimmunized children. Babies under one year of age are most at risk.
“Getting immunized during pregnancy is the best way to protect your baby in the first few vulnerable weeks of their life. All pregnant women are eligible for the whooping cough vaccine from week 16 of their pregnancy. The ideal time to get it is between weeks 16 and 32. The whooping cough vaccine is recommended every time you’re pregnant, even if you’ve had the vaccine before.
“It is also extremely important that parents ensure their babies get their whooping cough vaccine which is given at 8, 12 and 16 weeks as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine.”