The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has urged the public to promptly complete their vaccine doses for whooping cough or pertussis, as recent cases of the disease have been reported.
The HPA stated that whooping cough was under control in the Maldives due to regular vaccinations. However, three children from Villingili, Gaafu Alifu Atoll, tested positive for the disease in January. While cases are rare in the country, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and Gaafu Alifu Atoll Hospital have initiated contact tracing to identify any other individuals infected with the disease.
The HPA stated that children with symptoms have undergone testing and treatment, and a special task force has been established at Gaafu Atoll Hospital to control the disease. Along with contact tracing, antibiotic prophylaxis has been administered to children under one year of age and pregnant women who have been in close contact with infected children. In addition, children under the age of seven are strongly advised to complete their vaccination at the earliest opportunity, with vaccination services available at health centres on the islands.
The HPA has advised the public to seek medical attention if they experience persistent coughing or encounter difficulties. Whooping cough, a respiratory disease, initially presents symptoms similar to common illnesses. The cough becomes severe and persists for an extended period after a week. However, individuals that have completed the vaccination may not exhibit serious symptoms if infected.