Forty out of 145 who provided specimens for serological testing had evidence of recent infection with Bordetella pertussis . Fifty-eight cases of pertussis in this population and time period was equivalent to an annual incidence of 330 per 100000, whereas statutory notifications of pertussis in England and Wales suggested an incidence of less than 4 per 100000 in the same period.
Whooping cough remains an important cause of respiratory illness in all age groups.
These results are a reminder for general practitioners to be alert to the diagnosis and a prompt to reconsider national vaccination policy.