Skopje, 25 October 2024 (MIA) - Ten new cases of whooping cough (pertussis) were registered between 18 October–24 October, three of whom hospitalized, shows the latest weekly report of the Public Health Institute (PHI) released on Friday.

Most of the new cases were recorded in Kumanovo (5), followed by Skopje (4), and Kriva Palanka (1). The ages of the newly registered patients range from 2 month to 70 years, with most patients being up to four years old.

Of the registered cases, seven weren’t vaccinated, weren’t fully vaccinated or there was no proof of vaccination, two were vaccinated according to the age, and one was fully vaccinated.

"Until October 24, North Macedonia recorded a total of 1.148 whooping cough cases with an incidence of 62.5/100.000 residents. This is an increase in the number of cases compared to the previous five-year period - 2019-2023, when a total of 10 cases were registered," PHI reports.

According to the report, of the registered cases (726) weren’t vaccinated, weren’t fully vaccinated according to the age or there was no proof of vaccination.

A total of 78,096 whooping cough vaccine doses have been administered from January 18 until October 24. ssh/nn/

Photo: MIA archive, PHI