Vanuatu whooping cough death toll rises to seven as ministry says outbreak under control
Health officials in vanuatu say the whooping cough outbreak that has claimed seven lives is now under control, even as authorities continue a provincial vaccination push and urge families to remain vigilant. Public health leaders report falling case numbers and no new infections while stressing care for sick people and outreach to immunise young children.
Public Health director Dr Jenny Stephens: no new cases and transmission declining
Public Health director Dr Jenny Stephens said there are no new cases and that health teams are doing everything they can to control the spread. Dr Jenny Stephens said weekly EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunisation) reports still show fluctuations, but "the overall pattern indicates that the transmission mission is declining and the outbreak is gradually returning towards the baseline level, " echoing the view that spread is easing.
Death toll reaches seven in Vanuatu, including three infants; locations identified
Four more people have died, bringing the total to seven. Three of the deaths were infants. Six of the deaths occurred in Tanna and one occurred in Shefa Province. The rise in fatalities has prompted health authorities to call on the public to take preventive measures against whooping cough.
Case totals differ across updates — 795 since June 2025, 760 on 2 February, and 89 cited elsewhere
Figures for the outbreak vary in the available updates. One ministry update confirmed 795 cases recorded since June 2025 and said numbers have now decreased. An update dated 2 February said cases were declining from a peak in late 2025 and gave a total of 760 cases, broken down as 732 clinically diagnosed and 28 laboratory confirmed. Separately, the country's Health Ministry has been cited as reporting 89 cases. It is unclear in the provided context which total is the current, definitive count.
Pentavalent vaccine rollout targets children under five in the provinces
The ministry has made vaccination a priority and rolled out a vaccination initiative in the provinces to ensure children under five are fully immunised with the pentavalent vaccine. Dr Jenny Stephens urged provinces, families and caregivers to keep information flowing and to "continue make sure that whatever that they are, they need, to ensure that the kids require the vaccines that they needed, " stressing continued outreach to reach young children.
Symptoms and public advice: seek treatment and avoid contact when ill
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria and is easily transmitted through coughing and sneezing. Patients often have severe coughing fits with a distinct "whooping" sound when breathing in. Dr Jenny Stephens said that even with the spread under control and no new cases, vigilance remains necessary; provinces will continue taking precautions and advising people to seek help if they are unwell. "If you're feeling sick... visit a health facility to get information and for treatment, and also make sure that you are not around people who are sick, " she said.
