Belmopan, October 5, 2012. The Ministry of Health has investigated a total of thirteen suspected cases of Pertusiss or Whooping Cough and has received preliminary results on five of the twelve suspected cases sent for analysis.
At this time, the Ministry of Health can confirm two negative and three positive from the Caribbean Epidemiology Center (CAREC) in Trinidad and Tobago. They are awaiting final confirmation on these results. All suspected cases came from unvaccinated persons and all have since recovered.
Public Health personnel continue to maintain aggressive surveillance activity in the areas having these small clusters of cases. Pertussis commonly affects infants and young children, babies less than one year are especially vulnerable.
The public is reminded that the Ministry of Health has vaccines for the under five population which is most at risk. This vaccine can be obtained at all public health centers and several private health facilities across the country. Antibiotic treatment is given to those who show symptoms or are in contact with persons exposed to the disease. All these health facilities can and are able to manage cases of Pertussis.
The Ministry has vaccine supplies to cover at least 95% of the general population.
The last new suspected case of Pertussis was on September 25th, 2012. To date, no new case has been reported or detected. The Ministry of Health continues its health vigilance throughout the entire country of Belize.
