Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's Ministry of Health says whooping cough cases in the country continue to increase mainly in young children.

According to statistics, 34 cases (68 percent) are those of children less than one year old.

Its latest surveillance report on the disease shows eight confirmed cases and 46 suspected.

All of the cases were reported from Upolu island with 56 percent female and 44 percent male.

A whooping cough epidemic was declared in Samoa on November 28.

The ministry said whooping cough activity in Samoa has been increasing since October this year, after years of no to low activity.

According to a report by Samoa Observer, the island's deputy director of health Tagaloa Dr Robert Thomsen said the immunization rate for whooping cough is "not too bad".

SYMPTOMS (AFTER ABOUT ONE WEEK):

• •          Blocked or runny nose 
• •          Sneezing 
• •          Mild fever 
• •          Uncontrollable coughing fits that last for a few minutes 
• •          Coughing that leads to vomiting 
• •          Thick mucus that can make you vomit or choke

During coughing spells, young babies may gasp for air, stop breathing and turn blue.

Symptoms can present differently in infants, who can stop breathing or even die suddenly instead of having coughing fits.

Older children and adults can develop complications including collapsing after severe coughing, broken ribs, and pneumonia.

Patients of all ages can suffer from brain inflammation (encephalitis), convulsions and incontinence.

The coughing fits can last for a month or more, while an irritating cough can continue for longer, and can return whenever the person gets a cold or virus for the following year.

HOW IS WHOOPING COUGH TREATED?

There is no treatment for whooping cough. Antibiotics given early enough — before symptoms become obvious — may reduce symptoms, but once cold-like symptoms or a cough has started, antibiotics are mostly used to reduce spread.

Because babies under a year old have the highest risk of developing complications, they may need to be hospitalized for oxygen treatment, have mucous removed from their nose and throat with suction or be given fluids or liquid nutrition.

AMERICAN SAMOA

To date, the American Samoa Department of Health (ASDOH) issued a health alert/ advisory after the Government of Samoa officially declared an outbreak of Whooping Cough during the last week of November, following six confirmed cases in Samoa reported by the Samoa Ministry of Health.

ASDOH’s alert/ advisory noted that passengers arriving into American Samoa who present with symptoms will be screened on arrival.

The following protocols are recommended by the ASDOH advisory:

• Wear a Mask: If you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms, or come into contact with anyone displaying the symptoms above please wear a mask;

• Good Hygiene: ASDOH recommends practicing good hygiene to help prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses that can cause many respiratory illnesses;

 • Avoid travel to high-endemic regions. If you are unable to avoid travel to these high-risk regions, please take every precaution as outlined above to keep yourself safe; and,

• Vaccination: Visit your nearest Community Health Center and inquire about a “whooping cough” (pertussis) vaccination.

The advisory further states that if unsure, seek medical attention or visit your nearest healthcare facility at DOH or LBJ Hospital. Please call 219 or 633-5871 for more information regarding this advisory.

Samoa News should point out that while to our knowledge ASDOH has not reported any local cases, travelers to Samoa and the Pacific region, especially during the upcoming holiday season, where travel ‘home’ is common, precautions are a ‘must’.