American Honeymoon Destination Faces Outbreak of Highly Contagious Illness, Health Officials Issue Warning

Cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, are increasing at an alarming rate in Hawaii, according to state health officials. As of May 15, the Department of Health has recorded 108 cases this year – a figure already surpassing the total number reported throughout 2023.

The Department of Health describes pertussis as a highly contagious respiratory illness that spreads easily through airborne droplets when infected individuals cough or sneeze. While initial symptoms often resemble those of a common cold — such as runny nose, mild cough, and fever — the disease can quickly worsen into severe, prolonged coughing fits. In children, these fits are sometimes followed by a distinctive “whooping” sound when the child breathes in after a coughing episode.

Health experts warn that serious complications can arise, particularly among infants and young children who are not fully vaccinated. Potential complications include:

• Pneumonia
• Seizures
• Apnea (pauses in breathing)
• Encephalopathy (brain disease)
• Death

The most effective method to prevent pertussis is vaccination. The DTaP vaccine (protecting against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) is administered to children under age seven, while older children and adults receive the Tdap booster. Health guidelines recommend multiple doses to ensure continued protection.

"High vaccination rates protect individuals and communities and prevent cases from becoming outbreaks," the Health Department emphasized. However, both Hawaii and the nation have seen vaccination rates for essential immunizations — including those for measles, pertussis, polio, and chickenpox — decline since 2019.

Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst, explained that Hawaii currently lags behind the national average for childhood vaccinations. He pointed out that the DTaP vaccine remains highly effective, offering nearly 100% protection with proper dosing.

"Pertussis is insidious, and can be easily mistaken for other respiratory diseases, including viral infections," Dr. Siegel noted. While the illness can be treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline, early detection is crucial. "The best protection is vaccination, including repeated boosters in teens and adults."

Among infants under one year old who contract pertussis, about a third require hospitalization, further highlighting the severity of the illness for vulnerable populations. Dr. Siegel reiterated the importance of vaccinating everyone around infants, as outbreaks now frequently stem from lapses in early childhood immunizations.

WebMD’s chief physician editor, Dr. Neha Pathak, agreed that pertussis continues to pose a significant public health threat, especially to babies and people with weakened immune systems. She cited data showing that approximately 98% of children remain protected one year after their fifth DTaP dose, though this drops to around 70% over five years, making adolescent and adult boosters necessary.

The uptick in pertussis cases is concerning, but not surprising given what we are seeing with vaccine hesitancy," Dr. Pathak commented. She also stressed that pregnant women should receive the Tdap vaccine during the third trimester to help protect newborns before they are old enough to be vaccinated themselves.

Hawaii has also reported two cases of measles earlier this spring but determined there was no wider community spread. Still, health officials caution that the risk of travel-related measles cases persists, particularly as outbreaks continue across dozens of U.S. states.

Authorities strongly urge both children and adults to stay current with all recommended vaccines — including those for pertussis and measles — to safeguard individual and public health. The Department of Health stressed the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent future outbreaks and protect vulnerable members of the community.