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Pertussis: guidance, data and analysis

The symptoms, diagnosis, management, surveillance and epidemiology of pertussis (whooping cough).

Published 31 July 2014
Last updated 22 June 2018 — see all updates

• From: Public Health England

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a respiratory disease that is vaccine preventable. It is caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium. Pertussis can cause serious and life-threatening complications. This includes pneumonia, difficulty in breathing (apnoea) and seizures. Severe complications and deaths occur mostly in infants under 6 months of age.

Pertussis is a notifiable disease in England and Wales. This means health professionals must inform local health protection teams of suspected cases. PHE collects data on notifiable diseases. This data helps healthcare professionals track outbreaks and trends in disease occurrence over time.

Immunisation is the most effective way to protect against pertussis.

Diagnosis and management

1. Pertussis: background information on prevention and management

   • 11 February 2013
   • Guidance

2. Pertussis: guidelines for public health management in a healthcare setting

   • 2 November 2016
   • Guidance

3. Pertussis: guidelines for public health management

   • 3 May 2018
   • Guidance

4. Pertussis (whooping cough): information for healthcare professionals

   • 3 May 2018
   • Guidance

5. Whooping cough (pertussis): immunisation of healthcare workers

   • 11 February 2013
   • Guidance

Immunisation for pregnant women

See the extent of vaccination against pertussis (whooping cough).

1. Vaccination against pertussis (whooping cough) for pregnant women

   • 22 June 2016
   • Guidance

2. Whooping cough vaccination programme for pregnant women: extension to 2014

   • 27 June 2014
   • Guidance

3. Pertussis (whooping cough) immunisation for pregnant women: resources and training

   • 11 October 2012
   • Guidance

Data collection

1. Pertussis: enhanced surveillance form

   • 15 October 2013
   • Form

2. Pertussis oral fluid laboratory request form and instructions

   • 3 May 2018
   • Form

Epidemiology

1. Pertussis: laboratory confirmed cases reported in England 2018

   • 22 June 2018
   • Research and analysis

2. Pertussis: laboratory confirmed cases reported in England 2017

   • 27 April 2018
   • Research and analysis

3. Pertussis: laboratory confirmed cases reported in England 2016

   • 24 March 2017
   • Research and analysis

4. Pertussis: laboratory confirmed cases reported in England 2015

   • 6 May 2016
   • Research and analysis

5. Pertussis: laboratory-confirmed cases reported in England 2014

   • 22 May 2015
   • Research and analysis

6. Pertussis enhanced surveillance: laboratory confirmed cases in England in 2013

   • 2 May 2014
   • Research and analysis

7. Whooping cough (pertussis) statistics

   • 9 May 2016
   • Research and analysis

Published 31 July 2014
Last updated 22 June 2018 + show all updates

1. 22 June 2018 Added 'Pertussis: laboratory confirmed cases reported in England 2018' to the epidemiology section.
2. 31 July 2014 First published.