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Outbreaks of whooping cough (pertussis) in several countries

People infected with whooping cough (pertussis) have been reported in several outbreaks in the following countries:

  • New Zealand - notifications of suspected pertussis infections and confirmed cases in Central Otago have increased since about March. There have been 25 cases reported in the past 3 weeks.
  • USA - in Webster County, Missouri, 2 infants hospitalized and 6 infections confirmed by laboratory tests. In Lake Charles, Louisiana.
  • Australia - in Cairns, 45 cases since the start of the year. In Port Lincoln, South Australia, 648 confirmed cases of whooping cough.

Advice

Travellers are reminded that outbreaks of highly contagious pertussis (whooping cough) can occur anywhere in the world at anytime. Travellers can reduce their risk of exposure to this disease by ensuring that their childhood vaccinations and their current immune status for pertussis are up-to-date prior to travelling.

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