By JEN BAYLON
Negros Occidental has recorded its first pertussis fatality, involving a one-month-old patient who was hospitalized last week.
Provincial Health Office (PHO) head Dr. Girlie Pinongan said the child passed away at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital.
Pinongan said the infant died before confirmatory results came out.
The PHO has so far recorded 36 suspected pertussis cases in Negros Occidental.
Of the number, five cases have been confirmed, five were negative and 26 are considered probable cases.
Meanwhile, the Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) does not recommend declaring a pertussis outbreak in the city, following an increase in the number of cases.
The CHO recorded six confirmed cases, an increase from three cases logged last week.
CHO head Dr. Ma. Carmela Gensoli said there is no clustering of cases in the city.
She added that the hospitals in Bacolod are prepared for such situations.
The CHO continues to urge parents to complete their children’s vaccination as protection against illnesses, including pertussis.
Earlier, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez issued a joint public advisory on pertussis awareness and preventive measures.
They advised the public to be aware of the rising number of confirmed and suspected pertussis cases in the city and province.
The advisory added that immediate consultation with the nearest healthcare station is strongly advised if symptoms are observed.
Parents should review their children’s primary immunization, especially for pertussis, and seek catch-up vaccination or booster if necessary.
A catch-up immunization and booster doses are highly recommended for those unimmunized and incompletely immunized.
The authorities also advised parents not to bring their children to crowded places to prevent the spread of pertussis.
Children manifesting respiratory symptoms, such as cough, runny nose and fever, are discouraged from attending school, and they should be referred to the nearest primary care facility or health center.
The advisory said the public is encouraged to observe proper cough etiquette and hand hygiene, as well as wear face masks in closed or crowded areas.
Pertussis is a highly-contagious respiratory disease, and children are the most vulnerable to infection.
The characteristic “whooping” sound occurs when the patient inhales after a severe coughing fit.
The illness usually begins with cold-like symptoms, such as runny nose and mild cough, which could intensify over a period of two weeks./JB, WDJ