Samoa’s Ministry of Health has officially declared an outbreak of whooping cough, confirming six cases of the illness as of Thursday. The decision adheres to the Samoa Health Ordinance 1959 and the Samoa National Communicable Disease Surveillance and Control Guidelines 2020, which state that the confirmation of even one case can lead to an outbreak declaration due to the disease’s contagious nature.
The Ministry reported a notable rise in cases presented at Moto’otua hospital, with confirmed cases ranging in age from three weeks to 40 years, primarily affecting infants under one year. The very first identified case involved a seven-week-old baby who has since recovered. Additional suspected cases are currently being tested overseas for confirmation.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is marked by severe coughing fits that can cause breathing difficulties, vomiting, and exhaustion. Vulnerable populations include infants younger than six months, pregnant women, and individuals with preexisting health conditions. The Ministry is taking active steps to manage the outbreak, including enhanced surveillance and monitoring. It’s urging people to practice good hygiene and self-isolate if they exhibit symptoms.
Faualo Harry Jeffrey Schuster, acting Minister for Police and Prisons, confirmed that public health officials are closely observing young infants and children. In tandem, New Zealand has also announced an epidemic of whooping cough, marking the fourth occurrence since the disease became notifiable in 1996. Over the four weeks preceding New Zealand’s declaration, 263 cases were reported, showing a significant uptick—the highest monthly total for 2024 thus far.
Experts, including Dr. Nikki Turner and associate professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga from Auckland University, expressed concerns over the rising number of hospital admissions among Pasifika communities in New Zealand and emphasized the importance of vaccination. Health NZ highlighted the continued circulation of whooping cough in Australia and several Pacific Islands, underscoring the need for travelers to ensure their vaccinations are current.
In summary, while the situation regarding whooping cough is concerning, there is a proactive response from health authorities aimed at controlling the outbreak through increased awareness, monitoring, and vaccination efforts. The cooperation between Samoa and New Zealand’s health sectors demonstrates a regional commitment to public health, fostering hope that swift action may effectively curb the spread of this infectious disease.
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