Alaska’s state health department confirmed that an infant has died from pertussis amid the ongoing epidemic in Alaska, which has been observed mostly in south central regions of the state. Infants are at the highest risk for severe disease, and 12% of cases have been reported in infants. Of those infants, 45% have been hospitalized. In all, 70% of cases are among children under the age of 15 years old. As of September 6, 2024, the state has seen 234 cases of pertussis for the year, the highest figure reported in the last 9 years.
Vaccine status: The director for the Anchorage School District told a local news outlet that the pertussis vaccine is required for children to enter school, but about 1,200 children have received vaccine exemptions in 2024, mostly for religious reasons.