A warning has been issued to holidaymakers visiting Hawaii as a surge in cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, hits the US vacation hotspot. According to the state’s Department of Health, there have been 108 reported cases, an all-time high for the state, with nearly a dozen deaths already recorded across the country.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, mainly affecting infants. The illness leads to violent coughing fits, fever, sore eyes, and blue lips in severe cases. Experts say it’s crucial for families expecting a baby, pregnant women, and grandparents to get vaccinated.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the whooping cough vaccination for children, teenagers as well as adults. The vaccine is recommended every 10 years after that for adults, including pregnant women. However, few are getting it. In Hawaii, only about 87% of toddlers have received their DTaP vaccine shot, compared to a national average of 92.7%.
Health officials believe the sudden jump in cases in Hawaii is due to increased vaccine hesitancy and decreased immunity in adults as well as older children. Researchers warn that even tiny dips in vaccine uptake allow the ultra-infectious virus to spread.
The CDC notes that before the introduction of the pertussis vaccine in 1948, the US saw up to 250,000 cases per year, but they have steadily dropped by more than 90% each year compared to the pre-vaccine era. However, the bacteria that causes whooping cough is prone to mutations, which could make it able to evade vaccines.
As of 2024, over 35,000 cases across all age groups were reported in the US out of which about 10 people died, according to the CDC. Officials are urging visitors to ensure they are vaccinated against whooping cough and take precautions when interacting with newborn infants.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14739427/Warning-holidaymakers-US-vacation-hotspot-hit-worrying-rise-killer-Victorian-era-disease.html