May 6, 2025 1:22 am
Full News

New Zealand Declares Whooping Cough Epidemic

Health officials in New Zealand have declared a whooping cough epidemic, warning that infants are particularly vulnerable to the potentially fatal infection.

Dr. Jack, a leading health official, emphasized the importance of vaccination for pregnant women, saying, “The best protection for infants is for their mother to be vaccinated during pregnancy. The antenatal vaccination for pertussis is safe, free, and most effective when administered from 16 weeks of pregnancy. It should be done during each pregnancy to protect each baby.”

To safeguard children, the vaccination schedule includes doses at six weeks, three months, and five months, with booster shots at age four and again at age 11 (school year 7). Adults are also eligible for free booster doses at age 45 (if they haven’t had four prior tetanus doses) and at age 65.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can cause severe breathing difficulties and prolonged coughing fits, earning it the nickname “the 100-day cough.”

Symptoms and Risks
The infection is most contagious in its early stages, which typically begin about a week after exposure. Initial symptoms resemble a common cold and may include:

  • A blocked or runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Mild fever
  • A persistent cough

After a week, more severe symptoms often develop, including:

  • Uncontrollable coughing fits that last several minutes
  • Coughing that leads to vomiting
  • Thick mucus that may cause choking or vomiting

Infants, in particular, are at risk of life-threatening complications. During coughing spells, young babies may gasp for air, temporarily stop breathing, or turn blue.

Health authorities urge anyone eligible to take advantage of free vaccinations to help curb the spread of the disease and protect vulnerable populations.

Related News
Modi Announces India to Host Inaugural WAVES Summit in February 2025
Syria’s New Administration Intensifies Crackdown on Assad Loyalists
Trump Orders Construction of ‘Iron Dome’ for US Missile Defence
Who has endorsed Donald Trump?
Russia Surpasses NATO in Weapons Production for Ukraine War: SIPRI Report
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari Hospitalized
Related Posts
Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Possible “At Any Moment
Pakistan Accuses India of Violating Indus Waters Treaty, Prepares Formal Notice
India Suspends Indus Water Treaty Amid Rising Tensions with Pakistan
Myanmar Junta May Weaponize Nuclear Power Plant, Warns UN Envoy
India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate Following Pahalgam Attack
Trump Announces 100% Tariff on All Foreign Films
More News

8 Pakistanis Killed in Gun Attack in Iran

Eight Pakistanis have been killed in a gun attack in southeastern Iran. The incident was confirmed in a statement released by the Pakistani government on Sunday, April 13. British news agency Reuters reported the incident. According to the statement, Pakistan’s embassy in Tehran and the consulate in Zahedan are working with Iranian authorities to investigate […]

New Norovirus Strain Linked to U.S. Stomach Bug Surge

In a significant public health development, a new variant of norovirus, known as GII.17[P17], has emerged as the primary culprit behind a dramatic increase in stomach bug cases across the United States. According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this particular strain is now driving nearly 70% of the […]

Saudi Arabia Shifts Focus to Modest U.S. Military Pact Amid Stalemate on Israel Normalisation

RIYADH – Saudi Arabia has stepped back from pursuing a sweeping defence treaty with the United States in exchange for normalising relations with Israel. Instead, the kingdom is negotiating a scaled-down military cooperation agreement, according to Saudi and Western officials. Earlier this year, Riyadh signalled flexibility on Palestinian statehood, suggesting it could accept an Israeli […]

Director’s Award Revoked Over Actress Harassment Allegations

The “Voice of Solidarity” award given to American filmmaker and actor Justin Baldoni has been revoked following legal action taken by actress Blake Lively over sexual harassment allegations. This decision was made by Vital Voices, an international NGO focused on empowering women. The award is typically given to men who contribute to the development and […]

U.S. Troops Withdrawing from Syria

The United States is planning to reduce its military presence in Syria over the next few weeks and months. According to a report by news agency Reuters on Tuesday (April 15), two U.S. officials stated that the U.S. is planning to limit its military presence in Syria in the coming weeks and months. As a […]

Global Goals Youth Summit 2025: Youth of Today Are Tomorrow’s Leaders

The Global Goals Summit 2025 will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on January 23-25. It will bring together young leaders, activists, and innovators from around the world to discuss crucial topics related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This summit allows adolescents to address issues such as poverty, injustice, and climate change while actively […]

Marvel Fans Spot Hidden Clue in Avengers: Doomsday Reveal

Marvel fans believe they have uncovered a hidden detail in the recent cast announcement for Avengers: Doomsday, sparking speculation about a long-awaited Avengers and X-Men crossover. Earlier this week, Marvel Studios unveiled the film’s star-studded cast in a unique livestream. The reveal featured a set chair being placed in a hangar, starting with Chris Hemsworth’s […]

Debate Over Cultural Integrity in Japan Amid Rising Concerns About Islamic Influence

TOKYO, JAPAN — Amid growing debates about cultural preservation and integration, Japan faces discussions over how to address the increasing influence of foreign ideologies, including Islam, within its society. Critics warn of potential societal challenges, citing examples from European nations like Sweden, where immigration and integration policies have faced scrutiny. A recent report by Shia […]

Syrian Refugees Face Dire Choices Amid Ongoing Conflict, Human Rights Expert Warns UN

New York, United Nations — In a sobering address to the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, highlighted the harrowing predicament facing over 300,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon. They are forced to choose between enduring the threat of Israeli airstrikes or […]

Washington-Seoul Military Drills Begin as North Korea Fires Multiple Missiles

North Korea has launched multiple unidentified ballistic missiles, according to South Korea’s military. This comes on the same day as the start of the annual joint military exercise “Freedom Shield” between the United States and South Korea. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) stated that the missiles were fired from North Korea’s Hwanghae […]