Pertussis is rapidly spreading in Hawaii, a popular tourist destination in the United States. As it is a highly contagious respiratory disease, health authorities have issued a warning.
According to U.S. media Fox News on the 27th (local time), the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) stated in an official statement that pertussis is increasing in Hawaii at a "worrisome pace."
Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory disease that spreads through droplets in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It has this name because one coughs for 100 days after getting infected.
Pertussis begins with symptoms similar to the common cold but can lead to severe conditions such as pneumonia, apnea, and encephalopathy in serious cases. It is particularly deadly for infants with weakened immune systems and can result in death.
According to DOH, as of the 15th, 108 confirmed cases of pertussis have been reported in Hawaii. This already surpasses the total number of confirmed cases (84) from last year.
DOH identified vaccination as the most effective way to prevent pertussis. It recommended DTaP vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) for children under 7 years old, and Tdap vaccine for adolescents and adults. In particular, it emphasized the importance of vaccinating pregnant women after 28 weeks of pregnancy to transfer antibodies to the fetus.
Dr. Mark Siegel, a chief medical analyst at Fox News, noted, "The vaccination rate for children in Hawaii is lower than the national average," and pointed out that this outbreak of pertussis is related to the low vaccination rate.