07 Jan 2025 | 01:12 PM UTC
Samoa: Elevated pertussis activity reported on Upolu Island in early January /update 1
Elevated pertussis activity reported on Upolu Island, Samoa, in early January. Confirm vaccination; use basic health precautions.
Health officials have reported elevated pertussis activity on Upolu Island in Samoa, with an additional 177 cases reported Dec. 8-29, bringing the total case count to 286 (17 confirmed cases) since Sept. 1. Health officials declared a pertussis outbreak in Samoa on Nov. 28 after reporting increased cases at Moto'otua National Hospital. In response to the outbreak, health authorities focus on increased surveillance, investigating suspected and confirmed cases, conducting contact tracing, raising public awareness, and ensuring medical staff remain vigilant for symptoms. Local health officials urge the public to keep their own and their children's pertussis vaccinations up to date. This report represents the most complete data available as of Jan. 7, 2025.
Visit a doctor to ensure vaccination against pertussis or immunity through previous infection. Practice basic health precautions. Call your medical provider if symptoms develop within three weeks of being in affected areas.
For January through October 2024, Samoa's national pertussis vaccination coverage is as follows: 100 percent for the first dose at six weeks, 95 percent for the second dose at 10 weeks, 86 percent for the third dose at 14 weeks, and 65 percent for the fourth dose (booster) at 15 months. The previous year's case counts were 326 cases in 2018, and no cases reported 2019-2023.
Pertussis - also known as "whooping cough" - is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. The bacteria spreads through respiratory droplets created when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Symptoms typically appear 5-10 days after exposure but can develop up to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms range from mild illness with low-grade fever and occasional coughing in the early stage to vomiting, exhaustion, and severe fits of rapid coughing in the later stage. Infants and children up to 4 years old are at highest risk and typically suffer the most severe symptoms.
