7:04 am today

Whooping cough cases continue to rise in Samoa

7:04 am today
An illustration of Bordetella pertussis which is a Gram-negative, aerobic, pathogenic, encapsulated coccobacillus of the genus Bordetella, and the causative agent of pertussis or whooping cough.

According to statistics, 34 cases (68 percent) are those of children under one-year-old. Photo: 123RF

Samoa's Ministry of Health says whooping cough cases in the country continue to increase mainly in young children.

According to statistics, 34 cases (68 percent) are those of children less than one year old.

Its latest surveillance report on the disease shows eight confirmed cases and 46 suspected.

Read more:

  • What you need to know about the whooping cough epidemic
  • All of the cases were reported from Upolu island with 56 percent female and 44 percent male.

    A whooping cough epidemic was declared in Samoa on 28 November.

    The ministry said whooping cough activity in Samoa has been increasing since October this year, after years of no to low activity.

    According to report by Samoa Observer, the island's deputy director of health Tagaloa Dr Robert Thomsen said the immunisation rate for whooping cough is "not too bad".