The number of positive pertussis cases has risen to five in Negros Occidental.
The City Health Office reported yesterday that of the four suspected pertussis cases in Bacolod City, three turned out to be positive as of March 30, based on the findings of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Girlie Pinongan also reported yesterday that the positive cases of pertussis in Negros Occidental has increased to two, with a month old infant added to the list.
Pinongan added that there are 23 suspected cases of pertussis in Negros Occidental, as of April 8.
The Bacolod CHO strongly encouraged the completion of pertussis vaccination among children under two years old.
CHO is also conducting the mapping and catch up immunization for unimmunized and incompletely immunized children with ages zero to 23 months old, and close contacts of confirmed cases traced, for antibiotic prophylaxis.
Alarmed by the increasing pertussis cases, the provincial government of Negros Occidental and the highly urbanized Bacolod City are strongly encouraging the establishment of fast lanes in all health stations and facilities for respiratory and influenza-related illnesses.
A joint public health advisory issued by the provincial government and Bacolod City government cautioned the public on the increasing cases of whooping cough of pertussis.
Pertussis or “whooping cough,” caused mainly by Bordetella pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection whose transmission is via droplet infection, and can infect up to 90 percent of non-immune household contacts, but mostly infects children below 6 months old, the health advisory said, citing the US Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Health.
The DOH-6 Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) said 89 pertussis cases were registered from January 1 to April 1 in Western Visayas.
On the other hand, the Provincial Health Office logged one confirmed case of pertussis involving a two-month-old infant, while 11 more are being monitored for signs of the deadly respiratory disease.
Early symptoms of pertussis, which is highly contagious, may last one to two weeks. It involves a runny or stuffy nose, occasional cough and low grade fever. Later symptoms, which usually last one to six weeks, include fits of numerous and rapid cough, followed by “whoop” sound, vomiting and exhaustion after fits of coughing, the joint health advisory said.
It strongly advised the immediate consultation at the nearest healthcare station if the above symptoms are noted. It also emphasized immunization, especially for Pertussis, and seeking catch-up vaccination or booster if necessary.
For the unvaccinated general public, catch up immunization and booster doses beyond the target ages of the National Immunization Program are highly recommended. Parents are also encouraged to bring their infants to avail of free vaccinations at health centers. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star)
