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HIGHLIGHTS
- In EW08 2026, no new pertussis cases were reported. The change in the cumulative total is due to two additional cases reported in EpiWeek 07, one from Tanna Island and One from Efate island, bringing the cumulative total to 797 cases (767 clinically diagnosed and 30 laboratory‑confirmed).
- No new deaths were reported during this period. The cumulative number of pertussis-associated deaths remains at 7, including six deaths in Tanna and one in Shefa.
- Pertussis activity in 2026 continues to show an overall declining trend compared with the peak observed in late 2025.
- The sex distribution (Figure 2) remains approximately equal, with similar proportions among males and females and no consistent sex predominance across age groups.
- Cases continue to be reported across all age groups, with the highest proportions among children aged 1–9 years. A substantial proportion of cases occurred among infants <1 year, while relatively few cases were reported among individuals aged 10 years and above.
- Geographically, pertussis remains concentrated in Efate (~54%) and Tanna (~38%), which together account for the majority of reported cases (Figure 3). A smaller cluster has been observed in Futuna (~8%), and one case from Erromango.
- While case numbers continue to decline, they remain above the outbreak threshold, indicating that although transmission is decreasing, the outbreak is still ongoing.