United States Helps Fight Whooping Cough Outbreak in Afghanistan

November 4, 2002 - Excerpt from Secretary Rumsfeld's Press Briefing at the Pentagon:

"Last Monday, in response to an emergency request by the World Health Organization, the US helped with an outbreak of whooping cough among children in northern Afghanistan. An estimated 70 children had already died of the bacterial infection in a remote part of Darwaz district, and it's estimated that as many as 100 to 200 more children could have died each week if untreated.

"To reach the isolated region normally takes three or more days on horseback. And since the vaccine has a shelf life of only two days when it's not refrigerated, it might well not have survived the trip.

"To stop the spread of the whooping cough, US helicopters transported a team of WHO personnel with vaccine to treat some 2,000 people. US military forces performed an important mission to save lives, and they deserve and have our appreciation."

Last revised: October 22, 2007