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Argentina Issues Pertussis Alerts as 2025 Cases Triple and Four Child Deaths Confirmed

Authorities are prioritizing maternal vaccination alongside rapid treatment to protect the youngest infants.

Overview

  • The National Epidemiological Bulletin reports 2025 pertussis infections have tripled versus 2024, with four pediatric deaths confirmed.
  • Buenos Aires province issued an epidemiological alert after a sustained rise, including 70 confirmed cases in the La Plata health region through week 40, up from 24 a year earlier.
  • Mendoza ordered heightened surveillance and vaccination outreach despite no active local outbreaks, citing increases detected nationally and in other provinces.
  • Most fatal cases involved children with incomplete vaccination, including a newborn whose mother was not immunized during pregnancy, underscoring the push for maternal shots.
  • Guidance emphasizes azithromycin for five days for suspected cases, antibiotic prophylaxis for close contacts, verification of vaccination status, and keeping school-aged children home until five days of appropriate therapy are completed.