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27/07/2012
Whooping Cough Outbreak Spreading To Infants
An outbreak of whooping cough across England and Wales has spread to very young babies who are most at risk of severe complications and death, the Health Protection Agency has warned.
There were another 675 cases in June bringing the total to 2,466 for 2012 so far.
This compares to just 311 cases at this stage last year.
The main symptoms are severe coughing fits accompanied by a "whoop" sound as children gasp for breath.
Surges in the number of whooping-cough cases are seen every three to four years. This latest outbreak began at the end of 2011.
There have been 186 cases reported in infants under three months this year compared to 72 in the same period last year. Five babies have died from the infection.
Dr Mary Ramsay, the head of immunisation at the Health Protection Agency, said she was "very concerned" with the increase in cases.
She said: "Whooping cough can be a very serious illness, especially in the very young. In older people it can be unpleasant but does not usually lead to serious complications.
"Anyone showing signs and symptoms, which include severe coughing fits accompanied by the characteristic 'whoop' sound in young children, but as a prolonged cough in older children and adults, should visit their GP."
(H)
There were another 675 cases in June bringing the total to 2,466 for 2012 so far.
This compares to just 311 cases at this stage last year.
The main symptoms are severe coughing fits accompanied by a "whoop" sound as children gasp for breath.
Surges in the number of whooping-cough cases are seen every three to four years. This latest outbreak began at the end of 2011.
There have been 186 cases reported in infants under three months this year compared to 72 in the same period last year. Five babies have died from the infection.
Dr Mary Ramsay, the head of immunisation at the Health Protection Agency, said she was "very concerned" with the increase in cases.
She said: "Whooping cough can be a very serious illness, especially in the very young. In older people it can be unpleasant but does not usually lead to serious complications.
"Anyone showing signs and symptoms, which include severe coughing fits accompanied by the characteristic 'whoop' sound in young children, but as a prolonged cough in older children and adults, should visit their GP."
(H)
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