There have been 5,270 laboratory-confirmed instances of whooping cough up to 15 July, figures from Public Health Scotland (PHS) show.

A rapid rise in cases across the UK has seen the deaths of eight babies in England since the start of the year.

The first of a new series of monthly reports has now been published by PHS, saying whooping cough cases are likely to remain high until the autumn.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the lungs and airways, with unimmunised infants more likely to develop complications.  Babies under one are said to be most at risk.

The illness can be prevented with immunisation which is given to pregnant women, infants and younger children.

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