The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) confirmed five pertussis, or whooping cough, cases in one household. The family, including a hospitalized child, were unvaccinated and had traveled from the mainland U.S. They stayed in an O‘ahu hotel. The DOH, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other states, is notifying potentially exposed travelers.
Despite the family’s travel, the DOH found no close contacts in Hawai‘i. From 2019 to 2023, Hawai‘i reported 89 confirmed and probable pertussis cases, including 28 cases from three outbreaks. The last case before the current one was reported in March 2023.
Pertussis is a contagious respiratory infection caused by bacteria. It can cause intense coughing, followed by a high-pitched “whoop” sound when breathing in. Serious complications can occur, especially in infants, such as pneumonia, dehydration, seizures, and brain damage. Infants may not cough but may have apnea or difficulty breathing.
The best protection against whooping cough is to keep up with recommended vaccines. In the U.S., two vaccines, DTaP and Tdap, are used to prevent whooping cough. DTaP is given to children under 7 years old, while Tdap is given to older children, teens, and adults. Women are advised to get a Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy’s third trimester.