5 babies in Negros Occidental infected with pertussis

Pertussis in Negros Occidental. INQUIRER FILES

BACOLOD CITY — Five babies in Negros Occidental and this city have tested positive for pertussis.

In Negros Occidental, two babies aged 2 months old have tested positive for pertussis, while Bacolod City has had three cases involving 1 to 3 months old infants.

Of the three babies who tested positive from Barangays Taculing, Tangub, and Villamonte, one remained admitted at a hospital while two were discharged.

Dr. Grace Tan, head of the City Health Office (CHO)-Environment Sanitation Division, said close contacts of confirmed cases were traced for antibiotic prophylaxis.

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“Completion of pertussis vaccination is strongly encouraged in children under two years old,” she said.

The CHO is conducting mapping and catch up immunization for the un-immunized and incompletely immunized 0 to 23 months old children.

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.

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.

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Pertussis or “whooping cough,” caused mainly by Bordetella pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection whose transmission is via droplet infection and can infect up to 90 percent of non-immune household contacts but mostly infects children below 6 months old.

Immediate consultation with your nearest healthcare station is strongly advised if such symptoms are noted.

Proper referral and medication would be through healthcare providers and facilities, the joint health advisory read.

Parents were encouraged to bring their infants to avail theselves of the free vaccinations at health centers.

For the unvaccinated general public, catch-up immunization and booster doses beyond the target ages of the National Immunization Program are highly recommended.

All health facilities are highly encouraged to set up a fast lane for respiratory and influenza-related illnesses.

A Department of Health (DOH) advisory said pertussis starts as a mild cough and cold that lasts about two weeks, followed by paroxysms or fits of coughing which lasts up to six weeks.

There is a characteristic “whooping” or high pitched sound in between coughs, especially when inhaling. There can also be vomiting immediately after coughing, and low-grade fever, it said.