A three-month-old infant died from whooping cough last week, warns the Health Monitoring Office. According to the health services through a press release, this is the first case of complications and death.
Last week, an infant less than 3 months old was hospitalized due to serious complications from whooping cough. Despite the care provided, the child died, thus becoming the first victim of this epidemic.
Since the start of the epidemic, 313 confirmed cases have been identified and 11 hospitalizations recorded, including 8 infants aged 8 months or younger.
This death reminds us of the seriousness of whooping cough, particularly in infants who have not yet been fully vaccinated and underlines the importance of prevention, particularly in at-risk groups.
Whooping cough continues to circulate actively, mainly in Tahiti, where 285 of the 313 confirmed cases have been recorded. Among recent cases in week 45:
• 39 new cases have been reported (including 36 in Tahiti, 2 in Moorea and 1 in Tubuai).
• No serious cases or hospitalizations were reported that week.
In order to avoid further tragedies, it is crucial to respect the following measures:
1. See a doctor immediately in the event of symptoms (persistent cough, violent fits, difficulty breathing).
2. Make sure your vaccinations are up to dateespecially for infants, pregnant women and those close to infants.
3. Strictly apply hygiene rules : wear a mask if you have a cough, wash your hands regularly.
4. Respect home isolation if you or your loved ones are diagnosed or suspected of having whooping cough.
With press release
Health
