DOH records 49 deaths in PH due to pertussis

Teodoro Herbosa —MALACAÑANG PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has so far recorded 49 deaths due to whooping cough — a respiratory infection also called pertussis.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa disclosed the matter during the Senate committee on health’s Tuesday hearing.

Senator Bong Go, who was presiding over the hearing as chair of the committee, asked if there is truth that 40 individuals in the country have died due to the respiratory infection.

To this, Herbosa answered: 49.

“[There are] 49 as of March 23. That might increase if there will be more cases,” said Herbosa in a mix of English and Filipino.

In the same hearing, Herbosa bared that the region with the highest number of pertussis cases is Region 4B or Mimaropa.

Despite the rising number of infections, the country’s health chief maintained that the spread of the respiratory infection is “not that alarming.”

“We think we can contain it and it’s treatable as long as it’s treated immediately,” he said.

READ: DOH chief: Pertussis outbreak now under control, but vaccination continues

But contrary to Herbosa’s stance, health advocate and pediatrician Richard Mata said pertussis may not be alarming for adults and teenagers, but it is alarming for newborns.

Mata then pointed out that DOH’s initiatives to combat pertussis remain lacking.

“Kasi nag focus po kayo sa pentavalent [vaccines]. Yung pentavalent po ibibigay po ‘yan sa one and a half month old. Yung namatay sa Quezon City is 22 days to 60 days old — ibig sabihin sila po ‘yung unvaccinated. So kahit ibigay po natin ‘yung pentavalent sa 1 and a half month [old], you cannot save the 22 days old, you cannot save the 2 months old,” said Mata.

(Because we focus on pentavalent. The pentavalent will be given to one and a half month old. Those who died in QC were 22 days to 60 days old — meaning they were unvaccinated. So even if we give the pentavalent to 1 and a half month [olds], you cannot save the 22 days old, you cannot save the 2 months old.)

READ: Whooping cough: It’s not just a cough

In the end, Mata suggested that the Philippine government procure TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) Vaccines and make it available for free among pregnant mothers.