Bordetella pertussis isolates studied at the National Health Institute, Wellington, between 1977 and 1981.

Between 1977 and 1982, 199 isolates of Bordetella pertussis were referred to the National Health Institute for confirmation of identity and from mid 1982 for serotyping. The information gained from cultures referred during 1982 has been of assistance to the New Zealand Department of Health in investigating the causes of the present outbreak and has also enabled comparison with the serotypes involved in the present outbreak in the United Kingdom.