Published: 16/12/2024
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Updated guidance for the management of pertussis cases and contacts is now available within the pertussis chapter of the Te Whatu Ora Communicable Disease Control (CDC) Manual.
Since the pertussis epidemic was declared there has been increased demand for pertussis testing at a local level which has led to laboratory capacity constraints in most regions. For guidance on the groups that should continue to be tested in periods of high pertussis activity, please refer to Guidance for prioritisation of testing in periods of high pertussis activity.
Key actions – protection and prevention
- Antenatal immunisations (funded) 16 weeks+ in every pregnancy offers passive protection for the baby with over 90% of babies protected from hospitalisation (in first 3 months of life) and 97% protected against death (in first 3 months of life).
- On-time immunisation for young tamariki at 6 weeks, 3 months and 5 months with boosters at 4 years and 11 years of age (funded).
- Encourage all clinic staff to have booster vaccinations. IMAC is reviewing their advice (which recommends boosters every 5-10 yrs "depending on employer requirements") and it is likely a booster will be recommended every 5 years during the epidemic for health care workers who come into direct contact with infants including primary care nurses and doctors. Currently these boosters are unfunded.
- Pertussis vaccination is recommended, but again not funded, for other groups such as caregivers of infants born less than 32 weeks gestation, early childhood workers, adults with medical conditions who are not eligible for a funded vaccine who are at risk of severe consequences of disease.
- Detect and treat cases as soon as possible. Pertussis PCR is the recommended test for people presenting with characteristic symptoms.
- If possible, keep suspected cases out of the building. Take universal precautions such as patient wears facemask if tolerated, health care professional wears facemask. Clean equipment and surfaces once vacated. There is currently no advice with regard to the "stand down" period of an isolation room after a pertussis case is seen, the most cautious approach would be to stand the room down for two hours and then clean all surfaces as recommended for measles (which is similarly spread via air and droplets).
- Suspect cases should isolate, further information on isolation instructions for confirmed cases can be found on Health Pathways. At this stage, Te Whatu Ora has not issued any update of the provision on systematic support for those requiring isolation.