60 deaths from whooping cough in PNG

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2006

SYDNEY (AFP) — At least 60 people have died from whooping cough in northern Papua New Guinea amid fears the death toll could rise sharply as more cases are confirmed, a report said.

Papua New Guinea's Post-Courier said a preliminary count in East Sepik province by Health Minister Sir Peter Barter put the death toll from the outbreak of the predominantly children's disease at 60.

But it said health officials fear the number will rise once information on the spread of the disease comes in from more remote provinces.

Sir Peter, who toured the affected region over the weekend, said many of those who fell ill had been immunised but the vaccines have failed because they were unrefrigerated over the long treks needed to get them to remote areas.

The paper...