Figures have revealed the number of whooping cough cases in each south east London borough in week 19 of 2024 as cases across the UK continue to rise.

Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) records the number of cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, across the UK every week.

This contagious bacterial infection, that affects the lungs and breathing tubes, is known for the distinctive cough sound it produces and causing those infected to have coughing bouts lasting several minutes.

The disease is more serious in infant patients, with the NHS urging pregnant women and parents of young babies to seek vaccination as a preventative measure against Whooping Cough.

In London there were a total of 128 cases of Whooping Cough in week 19 of 2024, with 20 of them recorded across south east London.

The cough is otherwise known as the ‘100-day cough’ on account of the length of time it takes to recover from it.

In week 19 (May 12) of 2024, the borough with the highest number of recorded cases was Lewisham, with a total of eight during that week period.

This was followed by Bromley and Southwark, which both recorded four cases of the cough in the same week period.

Bexley recorded two cases of the infection in the borough during week 19, as well as Greenwich, which also recorded two cases in the borough during the same week.

New data published by the UKHSA revealed that cases of whooping cough continue to increase across the UK, with 1,319 cases confirmed in March this year.

During the current quarter, statistics showed that whilst most cases (50.8 percent) were found in children aged 15 or younger who get a mild illness, the rates of Whooping Cough currently remain highest in babies under 3 months of age.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “Whooping cough can affect people of all ages but for very young babies it can be extremely serious. Our thoughts and condolences are with those families who have so tragically lost their baby.

“Vaccination remains the best defence against whooping cough and it is vital that pregnant women and young infants receive their vaccines at the right time.”