Emanating communications - User's voice - for Fifteenth of August
In the heart of Hilo Lagoon Center, a baby feral pig has made its home for over a year now, while in another part of the community, concerns about the prevention and management of a preventable illness have been on the rise.
The illness in question is pertussis, or whooping cough, a serious condition that can cause life-threatening illness in infants during their first months of life. Recently, an infant in Oregon contracted pertussis after the mother declined a recommended dose of the vaccine during pregnancy, highlighting the importance of vaccination for pregnant adults.
In Hilo, efforts to address the pertussis issue have been ongoing since at least 2024. Attempts have been made to collaborate with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the mayor's office, and DOCARE, but no resolution has been found.
To combat pertussis, adults who have never received the Tdap vaccine are advised to get one dose, followed by a Tdap or Td booster every 10 years. Pregnant adults should receive Tdap during each pregnancy to pass antibodies to the infant, lowering the baby's risk of whooping cough by almost 80% in early life. Close contacts of infants, such as parents, siblings, grandparents, caregivers, and healthcare providers, should also stay current on their pertussis vaccinations to form a "cocooning" protective circle around the infant who is too young to be fully vaccinated.
Unfortunately, the recent pertussis outbreak has seen kids less than 1 year old as the group hit hardest by the disease. In the case of the infant hospitalized in Hilo, they spent 90 days in the hospital, with 75 of those days in intensive care, and the hospitalization cost $1.5 million. The infant survived, but their life was forever changed by a preventable illness.
Meanwhile, the situation with the injured feral pig remains unresolved. The pig was chased and injured by dogs this year, with a police report made about the incident. The pig's current condition is unknown, and no specific resolution or action has been mentioned. As a potential cause of harm to others, the situation is a concern for the county.
Lea Merrill, a resident of Hilo, is expressing concern about the situation and is calling for action. She emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated to protect infants and children from pertussis. If the county is unable to handle the feral pig situation, it is suggested that professionals be brought in to address it.
By staying up-to-date and protecting ourselves, we can avoid pertussis infection and help create a safer environment for infants and children. We can also protect youngsters we might come in contact with who could be more severely affected by the disease.
References:
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Pertussis (Whooping Cough). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/index.html
[2] Oregon Health Authority. (2021). Pertussis (Whooping Cough). Retrieved from https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/pertussis.aspx
[3] Hawaii Department of Health. (2021). Pertussis (Whooping Cough). Retrieved from https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/disease_listing/pertussis/
[4] American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021). Pertussis (Whooping Cough). Retrieved from https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/pages/Pertussis.aspx
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