Cases of pertussis reported in Samoa and Micronesia

As of 26 January 2025, the Samoan Ministry of Health had reported a total of 384 cases of pertussis (24 confirmed and 360 suspected) between EpiWeek 46 (2024) and EpiWeek 04 (2025). Since 19 January 2025, an additional 21 cases have been reported, indicating an upward trend in the incidence rate, which has increased from 176.6 cases per 100,000 people to 186.6 cases per 100,000 people between September 2024 and January 26, 2025. A significant proportion of the cases (52%) were observed in infants under the age of five years. Since September 2024, 41% of cases have required hospitalization, as reported in Pertussis Surveillance Situation Report No. 9 (EpiWeek 04: 20 – 26 January 2025). As of 30th January 2025, the State of Kosrae in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) had reported three confirmed and eight suspected cases of pertussis since October 2024, with an age range of 7 months to 58 years and a median age of 11 years. Notably, both the suspected and confirmed cases had no travel history. The first two confirmed cases were sent to the Hawaii State Hospital laboratory for further confirmation. Since October 2024, 10 hospitalisations have been reported, and no deaths have been recorded, as detailed in Kosrae State Pertussis Situational Report No. 1 – [(EpiWeek 5 (2025)].