Information is also available about eight cases from one other country that were reported by the reference laboratory during November. These eight cases had all been in Tunisia in October and the first week of November. This report will be updated as further information becomes available. The last significant epidemic of whooping cough in Switzerland occurred during the second half of 1994. Since then the incidence of whooping cough in Switzerland has fallen to the pre-epidemic level.
Participation is voluntary and unpaid.
This non-randomised sample of participants includes general practitioners, specialists in internal medicine, and paediatricians. Cases are defined as patients either with a cough characterised by acute episodes for at least 14 days, a barking cough or vomiting after a coughing fit, or following contact with another case of whooping cough. The overall rise in the number of reported cases was attributable to a large increase of cases between July and October. In comparison with 1996, no increase in cases was seen in the first 10 months of 1997. In view of the epidemic potential of B. pertussis it is important to maintain a high vaccination coverage.