The confirmed pertussis cases in Negros Occidental have increased to 13, Dr. Girlie Pinongan, Provincial Health Officer, said Friday, April 26.
Most of those who tested positive were children, many of whom were below 9 months old, she said.
She also said that a 1-month-old boy is the lone confirmed pertussis fatality in Negros Occidental this year.
A 2-month-old girl who died from suspected pertussis tested negative for the disease, Pinongan said.
Of the 54 reported suspected pertussis cases in Negros Occidental 13 were positive, 24 were negative while the test results of 17 others are not out yet, Pinongan said.
The age range of those hit by suspected pertussis are from 1 month to 62 years old, Pinongan added.
Pinongan said there are no alarming number of pertussis cases in schools, but the extreme heat can cause children to suffer from cough.
Everyone should stay hydrated and if there are children who are coughing in schools it is best to wear masks, she said.
She reminded parents to get their babies immunized to protect them from pertussis.
The provincial government is buying 10,000 doses of pentavalent vaccines that protect against Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Influenza B and Hepatitis, she said.
They are administered on babies at 6, 10 and 14 weeks old.
Only 62 percent of the babies in Negros Occidental have been fully immunized, they need to vaccinate 14,000 more, she said.
Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes severe, uncontrollable coughing fits that can leave the individual “whooping” for deep breaths afterwards. It affects people of all ages, but is especially dangerous and even fatal for young children and infants, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
It is caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It is easily transmitted from person to person through infectious droplets produced from coughing or sneezing.
People become infected by inhaling these droplets, or touching surfaces with infected droplets and subsequently touching their eyes, nose, or mouth, the DOH said.
Meanwhile, Pinongan also reminded the public to take precautions against water borne diseases with the current shortage of water in some areas.
Food also spoils faster with the heat being experienced now, she said.*