1 September 2023
Te Whatu Ora was recently notified of two infectious cases of pertussis on-board a flight from Perth to Auckland, arriving on Monday 28 August. These two cases are now staying in the Waikato.
While the risk for most passengers was low, those who were sat in rows 8 to 12 were at higher risk of catching the illness and are considered contacts. A media alert has been released to ensure passengers who may be close contacts know to watch out for pertussis symptoms and seek antibiotic treatment if in a high risk group.
Passengers may have since travelled across Aotearoa, so may seek health advice nationally. Communications have also been sent directly to primary care in the region.
View the Te Whatu Ora media release.
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30 August 2023
There has been an increase recently in the number of clusters of pertussis cases, including in Taranaki, Northland, Waitematā, and Southern. Household linkage across different regions is also being seen. Public Health is working with the usual measures to try to limit spread in each area. In each situation the index case is under 12 months old.
Practices are encouraged to remain vigilant and have a low threshold for swabbing and testing for pertussis.
Immunisation in pregnancy and for children remains the main response.
Dr Julia Carr, Te Whatu Ora Waikato chief medical officer - primary care says "It’s always useful to have awareness too in primary care, as you might be more likely to take a swab for pertussis in appropriate clinical presentations."
For an update on Pertussis see Community HealthPathways.
The pertussis dashboard is updated every Monday.
Taranaki outbreaks and cluster investigations update
The following update shows that we are starting to see a rise in Pertussis cases, including in Taranaki. All of us should be vigilant and have a low threshold for swabbing and testing for pertussis.
Pertussis update (Source: EpiSurv 29 August 2023, Northland PHU, ARPHS, Taranaki PHU, Public Health South.)
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