Five babies in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City have tested positive for pertussis, health officials confirmed on Tuesday, April 9.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez have issued a joint public advisory on pertussis awareness amid concern over the increasing confirmed and probable cases.
In Negros Occidental two babies aged two months old have tested positive for pertussis, while there are 23 other suspected cases, Dr. Girlie Pinongan, Provincial Health Officer, said.
In Bacolod City three babies from one to three months old tested positive, Dr. Grace Tan, head of the City Health Office (CHO)-Environment Sanitation Division, said.
A fourth suspected pertussis case in Bacolod City tested negative, she said.
Of the three babies who tested positive from barangays Taculing, Tangub and Villamonte, one remained admitted at a hospital while two were discharged, Tan said.
Close contacts of confirmed cases were traced for antibiotic prophylaxis, she said.
Completion of pertussis vaccination is strongly encouraged in children under two years old, Tan said.
The CHO is conducting mapping and catch up immunization for the unimmunized and incompletely immunized 0-23 months old children, she said.
The CHO has been collaborating with the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and infectious disease consultants for joint guidelines, advisories and management of pertussis in Bacolod and Negros Occidental, she added.
Pertussis or “whooping cough”, caused mainly by Bordetella pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection whose transmission is via droplet infection.
It can infect up to 90 percent of non-immune household contacts but mostly infects children below 6 months old, the joint public health advisory of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City said.
Stage 1 early symptoms are runny or stuffy nose, occasional cough and low-grade fever. The highly contagious stage may last 1-2 weeks.
Stage 2 symptoms that usually last from one to six weeks, but may extend up to 10 weeks, include fits of numerous and rapid coughs followed by a “whoop” sound, vomiting and exhaustion after fits of coughing.
Stage 3 or the recovery stage may last for two to three weeks with gradually diminishing cough.
Immediate consultation with ones nearest healthcare station is strongly advised if such symptoms are noted. Proper referral and medication will be through healthcare providers and facilities, the joint health advisory said.
To prevent being infected with pertussis the following is advised:
*Proper cough etiquette should be observed (cover mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing, avoid coughing into hands);
*Maintain distance of more than 3 feet if possible;
*Frequent and proper hand hygiene:
*Use of medical masks when in closed or crowded areas;
*Review primary immunization, especially for pertussis, and seek catch-up
vaccination or booster if necessary;
*Avoid bringing infants and unprotected (unvaccinated) children in crowded places;
*School-aged children manifesting respiratory symptoms (cough, runny nose, fever) are discouraged from attending school and shall be referred to the nearest health center or primary care facility; and
*Post-exposure antibiotic prophylaxis is highly recommended for high-risk individuals with exposure to a confirmed case.
Consult your physician for further guidance, the advisory said.
Parents are encouraged to bring their infants to avail of the free vaccinations at health centers for the following ages:
*First dose – 1 ½ months old (6 weeks old);
*Second dose – 2 ½ months old (10 weeks old); and
*Third dose – 3 ½ months old (14 weeks old).
For the unvaccinated general public, catch-up immunization and booster doses beyond the target ages of the National Immunization Program are highly recommended, the advisory said.
Pertussis-containing vaccines may be available in private clinics, it added.
All health facilities are highly encouraged to set up a
fast lane for respiratory and influenza-related illnesses, the advisory said.
Healthcare facilities of Local Government Units are encouraged to closely coordinate with Negros Occidental PHO or Bacolod CHO for proper information dissemination, outbreak response vaccination, and surveillance, it said.
Contact details are: Negros Occidental PHO – (034) 432-3362 within office hours or email at pho.negros@yahoo.com; and Bacolod CHO – (034) 431-3673 within office hours or email at cho@bacolodcity.gov.ph, the advisory said.*