HEALTH chiefs have warned of the dangers of whooping cough after the number of cases in the north west doubled in the past year.

Whooping cough can be a serious illness, especially in the very young, with main symptoms including severe coughing fits.

In the north west, figures have increased from 65 in 2010 to 107 in 2011 while in Warrington there were 15 reports of whooping cough between 2008 and 10.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Health Protection Agency head of immunisation, said: “We usually see a rise in cases of whooping cough around every three to four years as the disease peaks in cycles.

“It is a highly infectious disease so when there is a case it can spread quickly.”