By JEN BAYLON

The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) recorded 14 confirmed pertussis cases in the province as of Monday, May 6.

PHO head Dr. Girlie Pinongan said out of 64 cases, 33 are negative while 17 are probable cases.

She added that the latest confirmed pertussis case is a one-year-old boy.

Pinongan said 20 out of the 31 local government units (LGUs) in the province have at least one pertussis-related case.

Among the LGUs 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.

Earlier, Pinongan said Negros Occidental still had one fatality due to pertussis, involving a one-month-old boy who died at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Regional Hospital in Bacolod City last month.

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

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