Whooping Cough Outbreaks in the Pacific: What You Need to Know

The Cook Islands has announced border checks in response to a recent whooping cough outbreak in the wider region, following similar declarations in Samoa and New Zealand.

Flights from Auckland to Rarotonga remain full, with health secretary Bob Williams urging all new mums with newborn babies and vulnerable older adults to take extra caution when out in public.

“Monitoring of symptomatic arrival passengers will commence this week by health officials at the border,” Williams said. “The National Coordination Team meets weekly to monitor the outbreak in NZ and Samoa with updates from the Polynesian Health Corridor Team.”

Whooping Cough Outbreaks in Aotearoa New Zealand

New Zealand has been grappling with a significant whooping cough outbreak, which has seen over 1000 cases this year. The country declared an outbreak last week, following a similar declaration by Samoa.

A further booster dose is recommended for children at the age of 11 years, while vaccination is free for pregnant people and adults are eligible for one free booster from age 45 if they have not had four previous tetanus doses.

Prevention and Symptoms

Whooping cough causes breathing difficulties and severe coughing fits. The cough can last for weeks or months, earning it the nickname “the 100-day cough.”

People are most infectious in the early stages of infection, with symptoms usually appearing around one week after becoming infected.

Symptoms

• A blocked or runny nose
• Sneezing
• A mild fever
• Uncontrollable coughing fits that last for a few minutes
• Coughing that leads to vomiting
• A thick mucus that can make you vomit or choke
• During coughing spells, young babies may gasp for air and may briefly stop breathing and turn blue

Border Checks and Vaccination Efforts

American Samoa has also announced border checks, with passengers arriving in the territory who present with symptoms being screened on arrival.

Acting territorial epidemiologist Adam Konrote said they are intensifying vaccination efforts in response to the outbreak. “The threshold for American Samoa declaring an outbreak is one case,” he added.

Cook Islands Response

The Cook Islands has implemented border checks to contain the spread of whooping cough, following similar declarations by New Zealand and Samoa.

Health officials are urging the public to take precautions, including watching out for symptoms, following hygiene protocols, and inquiring about vaccination.

Conclusion

Whooping cough outbreaks have been declared in several Pacific countries, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and cooperation among health authorities. By taking extra precautions and staying informed, individuals can play a crucial role in preventing the spread of this highly infectious disease.