A former special adviser of the National Task Force against COVID-19 believed mandatory wearing of face masks is already necessary in areas that declared pertussis outbreak and those with reported high number of cases. (Photo by TED ALJIBE / Agence France-Presse)
MANILA, Philippines — Dr. Tony Leachon, a public health expert, is urging the government to reimpose the mandatory wearing of face masks in public areas, similar to what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, to prevent the spread of the highly contagious pertussis, also known as whooping cough.
In an interview with ANC, Leachon, a former special adviser of the National Task Force against COVID-19, projected a surge of pertussis cases in the next three weeks, particularly in areas outside of Metro Manila due to the unrestricted movement of people during Holy Week break.
He said the mandatory wearing of face masks was necessary in areas that had already declared an outbreak, such as Quezon City and Iloilo City, and Cavite Province, and those with reported high numbers of pertussis cases. It has infected mostly unvaccinated children.
READ: DOH: 40 child deaths due to pertussis logged so far this year
READ: DOH sees possible Holy Week hike in pertussis cases
“I would recommend it without any hesitation because we do not have any protection right now for the kids,” he said.
Voluntary wearing of face masks
The Department of Health (DOH) maintained, however, that the wearing of face masks as “voluntary, but highly encouraged.”
Despite the alarming increase in pertussis cases in the country, the DOH said the public may continue to carry out their normal daily activities.
Leachon said children born in the past three years during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic were “most vulnerable” since many of them had not yet been vaccinated against pertussis.
The DOH reported 28 new cases, bringing to 568 the total number of pertussis cases in the country from Jan. 1 to March 16. This is a staggering 2,084.62-percent increase from the only 26 cases recorded in the same period last year.
Forty pertussis patients had already died in the first 10 weeks of 2023.
Free vaccines
The DOH urged parents to have their children avail of the pentavalent (5-in-1) vaccine shot available in barangay health centers for free. The vaccine not only protects children against pertussis, but also against diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type B.
The DOH added that infants as young as six weeks may already be given this vaccine for free at government health centers.
READ: 8M jabs coming as DOH sees more pertussis, measles outbreaks
It added children from one to six 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 DOH said pregnant women may avail of the TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccine with authorization from their OB (obstetrician-gynecologist). The TDAP gives protection to their soon-to-be-born babies against pertussis.
Only 64,400 doses
As of March 25, there are only 64,400 doses of pentavalent vaccines in the country. But the DOH was expecting 3 million more pentavalent doses to arrive in the country “at the soonest possible time.”
“The medical field has known [about] pertussis for a long time now. We have antibiotics that can treat it. Vaccines are safe and effective against whooping cough. The DOH is redistributing on-hand doses to where they are needed the most,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.
“In consultation with President Marcos, I have already ordered to fast-track the arrival of 3 million more doses,” he added.