By JEN BAYLON
Negros Occidental has one confirmed case of pertussis or whooping cough.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, in an interview yesterday, said he urged Negrenses to be more aware of pertussis symptoms, after the confirmed case was reported last week.
“I think they should be more conscious that this is not an ordinary cough,” Lacson said.
A two-month-old girl was admitted to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City last week due to pertussis, but she has now recovered.
“In the baby’s case, family members had been experiencing coughs, which eventually led to the infant contracting the illness and experiencing difficulty in breathing,” Lacson said.
“So they might think it’s an ordinary cough. Unfortunately, it really manifested in the two-month-old baby who was coughing, gasping for breath,” he added.
Lacson said the confirmed sample was sent three weeks ago.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) has already sent an additional six specimens of suspected pertussis cases to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for confirmatory tests.
The PHO is also urging residents to wear face masks, following the issuance of a health alert against pertussis.
The provincial government continues to monitor the situation, while encouraging residents to be vigilant of pertussis symptoms and taking necessary precautions to prevent its spread.
Earlier, PHO head Dr. Girlie Pinongan reminded parents that they should complete their children’s primary vaccination as it will serve as their protection against diseases, including pertussis.
Pinongan advised Negrenses to wear face masks at home, especially if a family member is experiencing pertussis symptoms, and observe preventive measures, such as frequent handwashing with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitizers.
The PHO said those who are showing symptoms of pertussis, such as runny nose, low-grade fever and cough, should immediately consult a doctor.
Pertussis is a highly-contagious respiratory disease, and children are the most vulnerable to infection./JB, WDJ