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| Whooping cough cases 'falling' | Whooping cough cases 'falling' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News | |
| The largest outbreak of whooping cough for 20 years shows signs of slowing as cases fall for two months in a row, Health Protection Agency figures for England and Wales show. | The largest outbreak of whooping cough for 20 years shows signs of slowing as cases fall for two months in a row, Health Protection Agency figures for England and Wales show. |
| There were 832 new cases in December, nearly half the figure from October. | There were 832 new cases in December, nearly half the figure from October. |
| One baby died in December, bringing the total number of deaths in newborns during the outbreak to 14. | One baby died in December, bringing the total number of deaths in newborns during the outbreak to 14. |
| Experts warn the outbreak may not be over as there is a seasonal dip in cases. | Experts warn the outbreak may not be over as there is a seasonal dip in cases. |
| The current outbreak has been significantly worse than in previous years, affecting 9,741 in England and Wales in 2012. | The current outbreak has been significantly worse than in previous years, affecting 9,741 in England and Wales in 2012. |
| There are surges every three to four years. However last year there were 10 times the number of cases than in the last outbreak in 2008. A similar pattern has been seen in Scotland and Northern Ireland. | There are surges every three to four years. However last year there were 10 times the number of cases than in the last outbreak in 2008. A similar pattern has been seen in Scotland and Northern Ireland. |
| 'Welcome decrease' | |
| Dr. Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at the HPA, said: "The December figures show another welcome decrease in the overall number of whooping cough cases since the peak in October. | Dr. Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at the HPA, said: "The December figures show another welcome decrease in the overall number of whooping cough cases since the peak in October. |
| "However, it is very important to note that we usually see a reduction in cases of whooping cough at this time of year so this decrease is in line with normal seasonal patterns." | "However, it is very important to note that we usually see a reduction in cases of whooping cough at this time of year so this decrease is in line with normal seasonal patterns." |
| Anyone can catch whooping cough, but it tends to be deadly only in newborn babies as their immune systems are not yet ready to fight off the infection. | |
| Vaccination does not start until they are two months old and requires multiple jabs until the baby is protected. | |
| In response a UK-wide programme of vaccinating pregnant mothers was launched close to the peak of the outbreak. | |
| Women between 28 and 38 weeks pregnant are being offered the whooping cough vaccine, which should pass protection onto their child in the womb. | |
| Figures suggest around 55% of pregnant women have had the jab in December, up from 40% in October. | |
| Dr Ramsay said: "Parents should be alert to the signs and symptoms of whooping cough - which include severe coughing fits that may be accompanied by the characteristic 'whoop' sound in young children; older children or adults will usually just have a prolonged cough." |