Pertussis cases rise 10-fold among older children and adults in England and Wales

Pertussis is affecting nearly 10 times the number of older children and adults this year than when the disease last peaked in England and Wales in 2008, figures show.

The Health Protection Agency has written to GPs in areas where the incidence is highest, advising them to look out for symptoms in children aged over 15 as well as adults and to treat them with antibiotics to stop the infection spreading to babies and vulnerable adults.

The agency is keeping the Department of Health for England up to date with the situation and is discussing what, if any, measures need to …