Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Increases in UK

With the report of 319 newly suspected cases of whooping cough (pertussis) detected in the past week, the UK Health Security Agency has registered almost 1,000 infected people this year (2024). This number is more than 20 times higher than the number of cases seen in the same time period last year (2023). The most affected region is Wales.

Advice

Travellers are reminded that outbreaks of highly contagious pertussis (whooping cough) can occur anywhere in the world at anytime. Travellers can reduce their risk of exposure to this disease by ensuring that their childhood vaccinations and their current immune status for pertussis are up-to-date prior to travelling.