The latest situational report from the Ministry of Health showed an increase in whooping cough cases mainly in children one year old and younger since an outbreak was declared. 

A whooping cough epidemic was declared on 28 November 2024.

The Ministry of Health’s (MOH) whopping cough surveillance situation report No.1 confirmed a cumulative total of 54 cases (eight confirmed and 46 suspected). 

All of the cases (100 per cent) were reported from Upolu, 56 per cent female and 44 per cent male. 

According to the statistics, 34 cases (68 per cent) are those who are less than one year old, of which 31 (62per cent) were sex weeks to less than one-year-old. 

“Earliest onset of cough reported at 16 September 2024, 57 per cent of all cases were hospitalised at TTMH [Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital].”

Whooping cough epidemics occur every three to five years, said M.O.H., and whooping cough activity in Samoa has been increasing as of October 2024 after years of no to low activity. 

A clinicians’ alert was issued to all clinicians urging them to remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms of whooping cough and to encourage testing and reporting of all suspected and confirmed cases to the HSDS Division for appropriate response 

Case investigation and contact tracing of all suspected whooping cough cases is currently under way along with sample collection for testing. 

In a recent interview with the Deputy Director General of Health, Tagaloa Dr. Robert Thomsen he said Samoa’s immunisation rate for whooping cough is “not too bad”. 

He stated the first dose roughly around 95 per cent, the coverage for the second dose above 85 per cent and the third dose below 80 per cent. 

Tagaloa stressed the aim is to boost the second and third doses to reach 90 per cent coverage.

The Health Security and Disease Surveillance Division (HSDSD) has been investigating any suspected or confirmed cases and contacts to prevent further transmission and reduce the risk of transmission in the population.