ONE case of whooping cough has been reported in North Somerset, according to new government statistics.

The disease, dubbed as 'the 100-day cough', is a contagious respiratory tract infection.

It takes its name from the 'whoop' sound those with the infection make when trying to breathe in after coughing.

In the government's record of notifiable diseases from the last 52 weeks, one case in North Somerset has been recorded, near Cleeve.

The NHS website details what to do to treat the infection: "Hospital treatment is usually needed if you have severe whooping cough, or your baby is under 6 months old and has whooping cough.

"If whooping cough is diagnosed within three weeks of the infection, you'll be given antibiotics to help stop it spreading to others. Antibiotics may not reduce symptoms.

"If you've had whooping cough for more than three weeks, you're no longer contagious and do not need antibiotics."