The Yanomami Indigenous Land has been facing a troubling outbreak of whooping cough since the beginning of this year, with the latest epidemiological report indicating eight confirmed cases as of Friday. The Santo Antônio Children's Hospital has also reported that 13 children are currently hospitalized with suspected cases of the disease. This alarming information was brought to light by the Yanomami associations Urihi and Hutukara, highlighting the close link between healthcare access and indigenous communities.

Leaders Dário Kopenawa and Waihiri Hekurari visited the hospital on Thursday seeking more information about the outbreak and its implications for their community. The majority of confirmed cases are concentrated in the Surucucu region of Alto Alegre, specifically within the communities of Aracik, Sétimo Bis, Watho-u, Xiotho-u, and Yarima. Particularly concerning is the fact that most of these cases are affecting infants under one year old, a demographic that is especially vulnerable to the severe complications caused by whooping cough.

Whooping cough, or 'tosse comprida' as it is known in Portuguese, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. As health authorities work to manage this outbreak, it underscores the pressing need for better healthcare resources and preventive measures in indigenous territories, as these communities often face significant barriers to accessing medical care and information essential for managing infectious diseases.