Baguio City govt confirms 5 pertussis cases

The Baguio City government has confirmed five cases of pertussis or whooping cough from Feb. 19 to March 27.

Based on the data from the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU), the cases of pertussis were confirmed on the following dates: Feb. 19, Feb. 27, March 6, March 13, and March 27. 

No deaths were reported due pertussis, which is also known as whooping, were recorded in the city.

"As of now there is no clustering of cases but we are awaiting for additional confirmation of the last cases of admission last week numbering four cases," said Acting City Health Officer Celia Flor Brillantes in a press statement Monday.

Out of 23 suspected cases, the CESU said five were confirmed, 15 were negative and three others were still pending. Only one of the confirmed cases was unvaccinated against the infection.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the cases are still no cause for alarm. However, he reminded residents to remain vigilant against the highly contagious disease.

As of March 27, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 568 pertussis cases in the country — 20 times higher than the recorded cases during the same period last year.

So far, about 40 deaths related to the disease have been recorded.

The local governments of Cavite, Iloilo, and Quezon City declared a state of calamity due to pertussis outbreak.

The DOH has been encouraging parents or guardians to have infants as young as 6 weeks old to get the pentavalent vaccine for free at government health centers. This vaccine would protect not only against pertussis, but also against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B. — BAP, GMA Integrated News