Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability (MHES) and the Public Health Department (PHD), continue to monitor and respond to ongoing pertussis activity (whooping cough) in the Cayman Islands.
New cases of pertussis continue to be identified within the community and have been reported among people of different ages, and in various settings, highlighting the importance of continued vigilance and adherence to public health guidance.
The identification of new cases shows the disease is still spreading locally and continued preventive measures are needed to reduce the risk of further spread. Health authorities continue to monitor disease activity closely to support ongoing public health decision-making.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hilary Wolf, said:
“Our surveillance systems continue to demonstrate pertussis activity in the Cayman Islands and support an informed public health response. Although current disease activity does not indicate wide-spread community transmission, preventing exposure among infants and other high-risk groups remains a priority. We encourage the public to follow public health guidance and ensure vaccinations are up to date.”
Current response efforts are focused on reducing the public health impact of the outbreak while protecting those most vulnerable. Other priority actions include reducing opportunities for the disease to spread, maintaining public awareness and preparedness across the healthcare system, promoting vaccinations and closely monitoring disease activity to ensure appropriate public health measures remain in place.
Dr. Wolf added: “The Ministry and the Public Health Department will continue to work closely with healthcare providers, schools, and community partners to monitor disease activity, support case management and contact follow up , promote vaccination, strengthen public awareness, and ensure that appropriate measures remain in place to respond to any changes in the epidemiological situation."
Public health teams are continuing to conduct enhanced surveillance, follow-up on cases, target interventions in affected settings, work closely with healthcare providers and educational institutions, conduct public awareness activities, and expand access to immunisation services, to help prevent further spread.
Adding the Medical Officer of Health, Dr Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, stated:
"Pertussis is a vaccine-preventable disease, yet we continue to see cases in the community, particularly among infants who are not yet fully protected through vaccination. The continued identification of cases serves as an important reminder that immunisation, early recognition of symptoms, and following public health advice remain critical components of our response.
“We encourage members of the public to remain alert for symptoms and to seek medical advice promptly when symptoms consistent with pertussis develop, especially if they have been in close contact with a confirmed case. We also encourage the public to take advantage of available vaccination opportunities where eligible. Continued surveillance, case follow-up, targeted interventions, and community engagement remain central to reducing transmission and protecting those most at risk of severe disease."
The PHD will also conduct additional community outreach immunisation clinics to support review of immunisation records and provide the Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) where indicated.
Community outreach immunisation clinics
Routine school-based Tdap vaccination activities continue across Cayman Islands schools as part of the national immunisation programme.
The additional outreach clinics are intended to complement these efforts by expanding opportunities for immunisation review and vaccination where indicated.
Clinic Schedule
Saturday, 20 June 2026: Public Health Department Clinic, Smith Road Centre, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, 11 July 2026: West Bay Health Centre, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, 8 August 2026: Bodden Town Health Centre, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The clinics are particularly intended for adolescents around 14 years of age who may be due for their routine Tdap booster. Students who have been identified through public health investigations as requiring immunisation review, including those who may have received communication regarding potential exposure, are also encouraged to attend.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to bring their child's immunisation record for review and updating where necessary.
For additional information, contact the Public Health Department at 244-2648 or 244-2889.
SIDE BAR
Pertussis information and community outreach clinics
What is pertussis?
Pertussis, commonly known as Whooping Cough, is a highly contagious respiratory illness that spreads through coughing, sneezing, and close contact with an infected person.
Symptoms
Members of the public should seek medical advice if they develop symptoms consistent with pertussis, particularly following close contact with a confirmed case.
Symptoms may include:
• Persistent cough lasting more than one week.
• Severe coughing fits.
• Vomiting following coughing episodes.
• Difficulty breathing during coughing episodes.
• A characteristic "whooping" sound following coughing fits.
Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to seek prompt medical assessment for infants and young children who develop respiratory symptoms, as complications can occur more frequently in these age groups.
Isolation guidance
Individuals diagnosed with pertussis should remain at home and avoid attending school, work, childcare facilities, social gatherings, and other public settings for up to 21 days until they have completed the recommended antibiotic treatment and have been advised that they are no longer considered infectious.
Persons experiencing symptoms should minimise close contact with others, particularly infants, pregnant women, older adults, and persons with underlying health conditions, until medical advice has been obtained.