In fact, the measures to combat whooping cough and the methods of caring for cases and those around them have been updated for these 2 islands. For health surveillance purposes, support for PCR tests by ARASS (Health and Social Action Regulatory Agency) is maintained for another 3 weeks. Any confirmed cases must be reported to the ARASS health monitoring and observation office (BVSO).
In addition, the Health Monitoring Office now recommends “the isolation of the community from any confirmed or suspected case” and the implementation of “barrier measures against droplet contamination (hand washing and wearing a mask).
The BVS reminds that the period of contagiousness is 3 weeks after the start of symptoms, unless antibiotic treatment is followed. So, returning to the community will be possible after three days of treatment (azithromycin) or 5 days for other antibiotics.
Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended for recent contact subjects (less than 3 weeks) and close contacts of a confirmed case and only for subjects at high risk or risk of severe form: infants under 6 months, infants 6 to 11 months who have not received two doses of vaccine, people with chronic respiratory disease, obesity or immunodeficiency, people aged over 80.
From June 14 to October 27, 254 confirmed cases of whooping cough were reported, continues the BVS and last week alone, 62 new cases were recorded. Among these new cases, six are infants under 10 months old, five are children between 1 and 6 years old and 51 are people between 7 and 70 years old. A first case of whooping cough was reported in a resident of Fakahina, who apparently stayed in Tahiti and Bora-Bora during his exposure phase.
Since the outbreak began in June, 10 people have required hospitalization, including 8 infants aged 8 months or younger.
Finally, regarding dengue, it continues to circulate actively. Last week, 16 new cases were reported to the BVSO for 68 samples taken.
Cases most often occur in isolation, and also in clusters, mainly in children or young adults. A new cluster has been identified in Mahina, at Pointe Venus. Spraying actions are underway.
