27 November 2024 – Samoa has not recorded any confirmed cases of whooping cough, the Ministry of Health confirmed today. However, several suspected cases are currently being tested in New Zealand for verification.
Assistant Director General of Health, Tagaloa Dr. Robert Thomsen told Talamua media yesterday to reassure the public that the situation is being closely monitored. “New Zealand has declared a whooping cough epidemic, and we are taking precautionary measures,” he said.
The Ministry of Health is urging parents to ensure their children are up to date on vaccinations and advising the public to wear masks if experiencing a cough. While there have been no confirmed cases in Samoa, Tagaloa emphasized the importance of staying vigilant. “We should not let our guard down and must prepare for the worst,” he stated.
This precautionary response comes in light of an alert issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) in October 2023, which highlighted several emerging diseases in the Pacific region, including Zika virus, malaria, typhoid, dengue fever, and measles.
The Ministry of Health is committed to taking all necessary steps to protect the country from potential outbreaks.
