• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
After recording 89 cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, including five deaths in Region 6, the Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health and Development, advised the public not to be alarmed, but instead be alert of its signs and symptoms.
Gov. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier expressed alarm over the rising cases of probable pertussis in Negros Occidental.
Pertussis is treatable and preventable, stressed Dr. Adriano Suba-an, the DOH regional director.
Its symptoms include mild cough and cold, followed by outbursts of cough, which could last up to six weeks. Low grade fever may be present in infants, and a bluish skin appearance (cyanosis) may be seen upon coughing, according to the DOH.
Of the 89 pertussis cases from January to April 1 this year, 22 are laboratory confirmed, 46 are probable, 21 are negative cases, as well as five deaths, DOH records showed.
Iloilo province registered the highest number of pertussis at 48, followed by Iloilo City with 17 cases, and eight in Negros Occidental.
With 17 cases, the city of Iloilo, through its Sangguniang Panlungsod, declared an outbreak, and was placed under the State of Calamity.
One of the primary reasons for the increase of pertussis cases, according to Suba-an, is the low immunization coverage in Western Visayas. Unfortunately, immunization coverage has taken a drastic turn for the worse when the COVID 19 pandemic hit the country, as most of the health care workers in health facilities were overburdened by the workload, since they served as vaccinators, for both routine immunization of children and for COVID-19, he added.
The DOH-WV-CHDS and local government units have requested the DOH central office for additional Pentavalent vaccine stocks for the continuous implementation of immunization services to children, and in preparation for the outbreak response, Suba-an further said.
Pertussis is a respiratory disease, which can be transmitted from person to person through coughing or sneezing. It can be prevented by good respiratory hygiene and practicing minimum public health standards, such as covering of the mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing, regular washing of hands with clean water and soap, and the use of hand sanitizers.
Suba-an urged the community to take preventive measures to protect vulnerable populations, such as infants who are not yet eligible for immunization, those that are under- immunized, and pregnant women.*
