The pertussis positive cases in Bacolod City have increased to nine, the City Health Office reported on Thursday, May 2.
Eight of the patients have recovered and one remains hospitalized.
The CHO said the babies who tested positive for pertussis came from barangays Tangub, Villamonte, Taculing, Handumanan, Granada and Cabug.
The number of confirmed pertussis cases in Negros Occidental remained at 13, with one death, as of April 30, Dr. Girlie Pinongan, Provincial Health Officer, said.
They are still waiting for the test results of 19 probable pertussis cases, 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.*