Dramatic Jump In Whooping Cough Cases

3 February 2013, 06:00

The number of cases of whooping cough in Norfolk and Suffolk has increased dramatically according to the latest figures.

In 2011 there were 22 cases recorded in both counties.

In 2012 that number had gone up to 391 according to figures released by the Health Protection Agency. That's 18 times the amount.

More pregnant women are taking up the vaccine though. They're offered it from 28 weeks.

Nationally, there were 9,741* confirmed cases of whooping cough reported in England and Wales in 2012 compared to 1,119 in 2011 and 902 in 2008 – the last peak year before this current outbreak.

There's more information about Whooping Cough at http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/whooping-cough/Pages/Introduction.aspx