Skopje, 31 May 2024 (MIA) - Thirty new cases of whooping cough (pertussis) were registered in North Macedonia between May 24 and May 30, shows the latest weekly report of the Public Health Institute, released on Friday.  

Most of the new cases were recorded in Skopje, where epidemic has been declared. Three were recorded in Kumanovo, four in Tetovo, and one each in Prilep, and Kratovo. The ages of the newly registered patients range from 1 month to 77 years, with most patients being younger than one.

Until May 30, North Macedonia recorded a total of 661 whooping cough cases with an incidence of 36.0/100.000 residents.

Most of those who contracted the virus live in the capital Skopje (79.9 percent), including 18 other towns across the country.

"Of the registered cases (661), 400 or 60.5 percent weren’t vaccinated, weren’t fully vaccinated according to the age or there was no proof of vaccination,” reads the report.

A total of 49,934 whooping cough vaccine doses were administered from January 18 until May 30. ssh/nn/

Photo: MIA archive, PHI