HEALTH chiefs are concerned about a spate of whooping cough cases.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has reported 22 cases of the highly infectious disease among children and adults in Calderdale in the past six months.
More than half of the cases have been reported in the last month.
Whooping cough – or pertussis – is a condition where every case has to be reported to the HPA.
The bacterial disease forms in the respiratory tract and is spread by coughs and sneezes.
Now health chiefs are urging anyone in Calderdale who has not had the childhood routine vaccination against whooping cough – or the booster – to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Dr Martin Schweiger, consultant in communicable disease control at West Yorkshire Health Protection Unit, said: “The recent increase in pertussis cases we are seeing in Calderdale is a concern.
“The illness can be unpleasant for the majority of people, commonly lasting between six to eight weeks even when treated with antibiotics. However, the infection has the potential to be even more serious for some vulnerable groups in our communities, such as new-born babies and infants.
“It is crucial parents ensure their children are vaccinated against infectious diseases, as this not only serves to protect the individual, but protects vulnerable people in our families and communities who may be at greater risk from these diseases.”
