Whooping cough cases spread across multiple schools in Cayman

Health officials in Cayman are intensifying their response to a rise in whooping cough infections, a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, warning that transmission may be more widespread in the community than current reports suggest.

The first case of pertussis was reported on 27 April at a local high school, where the infected student was isolated and treated.

Public health teams immediately began contact tracing, administering preventative antibiotics to close contacts and issuing advisory letters to parents through the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability, the Public Health Department and the Department of Education Services. Schools were also given guidance on monitoring, prevention and reporting.

Since then, additional infections have been confirmed across multiple schools, raising concerns that more may be going unreported.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hilary Wolf said that while affected schools have been directly notified, undiagnosed cases are likely circulating.

“We continue to have confirmed cases of pertussis affecting the community and multiple schools,” she said.

“Parents and staff of the impacted schools have been notified directly. However, it is likely that there may be other cases within our community that have not yet been diagnosed.”

Vaccinations strongly urged

Public health authorities are urging parents to ensure children and teenagers are up to date on their vaccinations, describing it as the most effective protection against the disease.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez said maintaining vaccination schedules is critical, particularly for protecting vulnerable groups.

“We cannot stress enough how important it is for all parents to check that their children’s vaccinations are up to date,” he said. “Up-to-date vaccinations are essential in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in circumstances like this.”

The standard immunisation schedule in the Cayman Islands includes the DTaP vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, at 2, 4 and 6 months of age, with booster doses at 18 months and 4 years. A further Tdap booster is administered at age 14 and is also recommended for pregnant women during the third trimester.

To support uptake, the Public Health Department hosted a special walk-in Tdap vaccination clinic on 2 May at the Smith Road Centre, offering free booster shots to students, particularly those due for their adolescent dose. Parents were encouraged to bring vaccination booklets to ensure records could be reviewed and updated.

Officials say the current situation highlights a broader challenge: While initial vaccination rates in Cayman are strong, follow-through on booster doses tends to decline.

Data from the Pan American Health Organization shows first-dose coverage for childhood vaccines in Cayman is near universal, with about 99.5% of children receiving their first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine. However, uptake falls to around 92.8% by the third dose, reflecting missed or delayed appointments rather than outright refusal.

Senior Nursing Officer Joanna Rose-Wright of the Health Services Authority has previously noted that the system’s vulnerability lies in these gaps in follow-up, where even small declines in coverage can reduce community protection.

Public health guidance remains unchanged. Residents are advised to practise basic infection control measures, including covering coughs and sneezes, frequent handwashing and staying home when unwell.

Parents, students and staff are also being urged to watch for symptoms such as a persistent or worsening cough, severe coughing fits or vomiting after coughing. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical advice promptly and avoid close contact with others, particularly infants, pregnant women and individuals with underlying health conditions.

The Ministry of Health and the Public Health Department said they will continue to monitor the situation closely and issue updates as needed.