Another baby dies after contracting whooping cough, says UKHSA

An infant 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 Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.

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

While most cases were in those aged 15 years or older, more than 300 have been reported in babies under three months, who are at greatest risk from the infection.

The current outbreak is thought to have begun in November last year.

Dr Mary Ramsay, the director of immunisation at UKHSA, said: “Vaccination is the best defence against whooping cough and it is vital that pregnant women and young infants receive their vaccines at the right time.

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