The Department of Public Health and Social Services has confirmed two new cases of whooping cough, bringing Guam’s total this year to three.  The agency says contact tracing and case investigations are underway as officials monitor respiratory illness trends islandwide.

Known also as pertussis, whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness. Symptoms often start like a common cold but can progress into severe coughing fits lasting weeks.

Health officials say infants under 1 year old are at highest risk and stress that vaccination is effective in preventing pertussis.

Residents with flu- or pertussis-like symptoms are urged to contact their healthcare provider and stay home if sick.