Two cases of whooping cough reported at 2 different Kona schools

At least two cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, have been identified in two Kona schools over the past week.

Jane Clement, spokesperson for the West Hawai‘i Region, which encompasses Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital, confirmed one case at Kona Pacific Public Charter School. Another case was confirmed at the Hawai‘i Montessori School Kona by the school’s administrator.

One employee at Kona Community Hospital, Clement added, was exposed but was immediately sent home.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial disease that is found in the mouth, nose, and throat of an infected person. Early symptoms look like a cold with a mild fever, runny nose and slight cough. Later symptoms include coughing fits, vomiting before or after the fits and exhaustion from coughing.

Eva Lee, administration director at Montessori, said the school took immediate steps to communicate with families when they were informed about the case on Feb. 6.

“We have asked parents to closely monitor their children for any symptoms and to keep their child home if they are feeling unwell,” Lee stated in an email on Friday. “Families have also been advised to contact their healthcare provider if symptoms develop or if they have any concerns.”

A concerned parent told Big Island Now that the Montessori School, where his daughter attends, sent out an email informing parents of the whooping cough case on campus.

With a newborn at home, the parent said, he decided to keep his daughter home this past week because “whooping cough is scary for infants.”

The parent had no criticism of the Montessori school and the handling of the whooping cough news.

“It just seems that it’s the world we live in eradictated diseaases circulating from time to time,” the father said.

According to the Hawai‘i Department of Health, the state experienced “a worrying rise in pertussis (whooping cough) cases statewide” in 2024-2025.

Symptoms of pertussis usually develop within 5 to 10 days after being exposed, but sometimes as long as 3 weeks later.

As of July 31, 2025, the website stated that a total of 203 cases of pertussis – more than double the 84 cases identified in all of 2024.

Cases have been reported in every county, with the highest rates on Kaua‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i Island. Infants under 1 year old have been the most severely affected group.