• GILBERT P. BAYORAN / CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Suspected cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, in Negros Occidental have increased to 19, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Girlie Pinongan disclosed yesterday.
Pinongan reported that the ages of the persons infected by pertussis are between one month to 62 years old.
Seven of them are now being treated in hospitals, while others are undergoing isolation, she added.
Pertussis is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, resulting in a highly contagious respiratory infection that is transmitted through person-to-person respiratory droplets or contact with airborne droplets.
Symptoms include a persistent cough that lasts for two or more weeks, a mild fever, and a runny nose.
Five samples were already sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
The City Health Office also recorded three suspected cases of pertussis in Bacolod City.
The Department of Health in Western Visayas cited the low immunization coverage in the surge of pertussis cases, which they recorded at 89, as of April 1.
DOH regional director Adriano Suba has advised the public not to be alarmed, but instead be alert of its signs and symptoms.
Pertussis is treatable and preventable, Suba-an stressed.
BACOLOD INFO DRIVE
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has requested the Bacolod City Health Office to provide information dissemination drives on the importance of pertussis or whooping cough vaccination and to encourage residents of Bacolod, particularly parents to avail pertussis vaccination for their children.
The resolution authored by Councilor Claudio Puentevella said that according to the World Health Organization (WHO), Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis spreads easily from person to person mainly through droplets produced by coughing or sneezing. The disease is most dangerous in infants and is a significant cause of disease and death in this age group.
On March 27, the Department of Health (DOH) issued a press release in relation to Pertussis. According to the Department of Health, national data shows 28 new cases of pertussis recorded from March 10 to 16, bringing the total of 568 from January 1 to March 16. Forty Pertussis deaths have been reported. The total number of cases for the same time period in 2023 was only 26, making this year’s tally to date more than 20 times from that of last year. Regions with the most number of local government units showing case increases thus far are CALABARZON, Metro Manila, Western Visayas, MIMAROPA, and Central Visayas. Metro Manila accounted for 27 percent (58 cases) of the total confirmed cases among all regions, the resolution said.
On April 1, the Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) issued a health advisory that probable cases of Pertussis are being monitored by the City of Bacolod and samples were sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for verification of Pertussis infection, it said.
The Department of Health in its press release dated March 27, said vaccination is a safe and effective measure in preventing Pertussis. Infants as young as 6 weeks may already be given this vaccine for free at government health centers. Children from 1 to 6 years of age may get a booster dose. Older children, as well as adults are advised to consult a doctor or health center for advice on the appropriate vaccine, the resolution said.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod requested that the Bacolod City Health should provide information dissemination drives on the importance of vaccination in preventing pertussis in order to encourage residents of Bacolod City to avail the same, it added.*
