What is whooping cough and why are cases rising in Ireland?

HPSC figures report 48 cases of pertussis or whooping cough and 16 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in Ireland this year (up to April 19).

Since 2020, the uptake of primary childhood immunisation has declined across all vaccines, including whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella, polio, meningitis and diphtheria and as a result we are seeing a re-emergence of some of these diseases.

Here are common questions about the illness.

What is whooping cough?

The bacterial infection, also known as pertussis, affects the lungs and breathing tubes.

Whooping cough is sometimes called the "100-day cough" because of how long it can take to recover from it, and it spreads very easily.

What are the symptoms?

The first signs of whooping cough are similar to a cold and can include a runny nose and sore throat, but after about a week, the infection can develop into coughing bouts that last for a few minutes and are typically worse at night.

Young babies may also make a distinctive "whoop" or have difficulty breathing after a bout of coughing, though not all babies make this noise.

How many cases have there been?

A Health Prevention Surveillance Centre (HPSC) report on infectious diseases in Ireland, states that 11 cases of whooping cough, were confirmed this week, with most cases in HSE West and North West.

Why are cases so high?

Health officials describe whooping cough as a "cyclical disease", which means it peaks every few years.

But cases dipped to very low numbers during the coronavirus pandemic – likely due to a lack of socialising and social distancing measures.

Vaccination rates have also decreased in recent years, meaning a rise in cases since years previous. Since 2020, the uptake of primary childhood immunisation has declined across all vaccines, including whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella, polio, meningitis and diphtheria and as a result we are seeing a re-emergence of some of these diseases.

What can people do to protect themselves?

Pregnant women are being urged to take up the offer of the whooping cough vaccine so they can pass on protection to their babies, which should last until they are old enough to get vaccinated themselves.

The vaccine is available for from participating GP practices. 

When can people get vaccinated?

Dr Lucy Jessop, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Director of the National Immunisation Office, HSE said: "We are appealing to parents to check their children’s vaccination status and book appointments if their children have missed any immunisations.

"By getting your baby vaccinated on time you are giving them the best protection against diseases like meningitis, measles and polio.

"Five GP visits, at two, four, six, 12 and 13 months, will complete your baby’s vaccination schedule, ensuring your baby has important protection from these potentially serious vaccine-preventable diseases."