By JEN BAYLON

The number of confirmed pertussis or whooping cough cases in Negros Occidental has climbed to 13, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported yesterday.

PHO head Dr. Girlie Pinongan said the majority of the cases were children aged zero to nine months.

The laboratory test results have been sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for confirmation.

Of the 54 cases reported since March of this year, 24 are negative while 17 are probable cases.

Among the local government units which reported confirmed pertussis cases include the municipalities of Murcia, Cauayan, Hinoba-an, and E.B. Magalona, as well as the cities of Victorias, Silay and Cadiz.

Meanwhile, Pinongan said the two-month-old girl who was suspected to have died from pertussis last April 16, was tested negative, based on confirmatory tests.

Following the result, she said the province still has one fatality due to pertussis, involving a one-month-old boy who died at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Regional Hospital in Bacolod City earlier this month.

Earlier, Pinongan emphasized the importance of vaccinations among children, as pertussis can be life-threatening.

“For those nga wala pa ma-immunize, palihog kadto lang sa nearest health centers,” she added.

The provincial government has allocated budget for the purchase of an additional 10,000 doses of pentavalent vaccines.

Pinongan also advised the public to wear face masks and avoid crowded places to prevent pertussis infection.

“Malikawan naton ang pertussis especially sa aton mga kabataan, kung pwede i-avoid lang danay ang magwa, especially sa crowded places,” Pinongan said.

“And if magwa man gid, kung pwede mag-mask, especially sa mga may ginabatyag, para ma-avoid man naton nga maglapta ang mga balatian, kaangay sang pertussis,” she added./JB, WDJ