"Thought it was a cold" sudden death... 'Epidemic' spreads in honeymoon destination

[Financial News] In Hawaii, USA, the highly contagious bacterial respiratory disease pertussis, which initially presents symptoms similar to a common cold, is spreading, prompting health authorities to issue an urgent warning. 

On the 27th (local time), the UK Daily Mail and others reported that Hawaii, a representative honeymoon destination in the United States, is being severely affected by the spread of a highly infectious disease, citing an official announcement from the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) that the number of pertussis cases in the region is increasing at an "alarming rate."

According to the Hawaii Department of Health, as of the 15th, there have been 108 reported cases of pertussis in Hawaii. This figure has already exceeded the total number of confirmed cases in 2024, which was 84. The number of cases continues to rise, and health authorities are strengthening community surveillance and encouraging vaccination to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

Pertussis is an acute respiratory infection caused by the bacterium 'Bordetella pertussis'. It spreads through the air via tiny droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and is characterized by its high contagiousness. The disease's name comes from the fact that "once infected, coughing can last up to 100 days."

Early symptoms are very similar to a common cold, such as a runny nose, mild fever, and dry cough, making early differentiation difficult. However, as the disease progresses, characteristic paroxysmal coughing fits occur, and in particular, child patients may experience a high-pitched "whooping" sound when inhaling. Infection can occur in all age groups. For infants under 6 months and those with weakened immune systems, it can lead to serious complications such as otitis media, pneumonia, vomiting, apnea, and in severe cases, brain damage and death.

Dr. Marc Siegel, chief medical analyst at Fox News in the United States, emphasized, "Pertussis is a bacterial infection, not a viral one, and although it can be treated with antibiotics, it is often mistaken for a cold in the early stages, making it easy to miss the appropriate treatment timing," adding that "the most effective preventive measure is vaccination."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Hawaii Department of Health strongly recommend vaccination to prevent pertussis. For children under 7 years old, the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine is recommended, and for children over 7 and adults, the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine is recommended. The pertussis vaccine requires multiple doses at regular intervals to achieve sufficient immunity.

The Hawaii Department of Health stated, "Measles cases continue to increase across the United States, with over 1,000 cases reported in 30 states this year alone," adding that "Hawaii is still classified as a high-risk area for measles importation, so continuous participation in vaccination and adherence to quarantine guidelines by residents is crucial."


hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter