More than 1,000 new whooping cough cases in July 2012

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has published new figures showing that 1,047 cases of whooping cough were reported in England and Wales in July 2012.

It brings the total number of cases confirmed so far this year to 3,523, with teenagers and young adults mostly being affected, while a high number of infections among very young babies has also been observed.

A total of 235 cases have been reported in infants aged less than three months so far this year, compared to 112 cases in 2008, while six whooping cough-related deaths in this age group have been recorded up to the end of July.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, an expert in immunisation at the HPA, said the outbreak makes it essential that parents make themselves aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease, as well as ensuring their children are vaccinated.

"GPs have also been reminded to report cases quickly and been made aware of the HPA's guidance … this improved awareness may be contributing to the increase in numbers of laboratory-confirmed cases," added Dr Amirthalingam.

The HPA is also currently investigating the potential risk to British travellers posed by a recent outbreak of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in Yosemite National Park in California.