Health Protection Agency HPA has reported that so far 5 cases of Pertussis or Whopping Cough have been discovered in the recent outbreak. This is an illness that has been controlled in the Maldives for years.
The first cases in this recent outbreak were reported from the Southern island of Gaafu Alifu Villigilli.
HPA said yesterday that another case of the illness has been discovered on the island taking the total number of positive cases to 5.
The Agency said that a special task force has been established at the Gaafu Alifu Atoll Hospital to combat the spread of the disease.
HPA also said that the task force is working with the other sectors on the island to curb the spread of the disease.
The Agency revealed that while 5 individuals have tested positive for the illness, 177 contacts have been identified, and that 25 of those contacts have presented with symptoms of the illness.
HPA also said that 46 individuals have been tested for presenting with the symptoms of Pertussis and that antibiotic prophylaxis has been given to 27 individuals.
The Agency said that Pertussis had been controlled in the Maldives since authorities began giving vaccines for the illness regularly but that some cases surfaced once in a while.
HPA said that Pertussis is most dangerous to small children and urged the public to vaccinate all children under 7 who have not been vaccinated against Pertussis.
Pertussis is a very contagious respiratory infection that causes a distinctive “whooping” cough. The condition can cause bouts of repeated, violent coughing that may come and go and last for weeks or months. Pertussis can cause severe, life-threatening illness, especially in babies.
