DATA from the Department of Health showed the number of pertussis cases continued to increase, with 862 recorded from January 1 to March 23, including 49 deaths.
“(The cases are) 30 times that of the same period as last year,” said the DOH.
Regions with the most pertussis cases are Mimaropa (187), National Capital Region (158), Central Luzon (132), Central Visayas (121), and Western Visayas (72).
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a respiratory disease caused by the bacteria that is either Bordetella pertussis or Bordetella parapertussis, and is transmitted from person to person through coughing or sneezing.
Its symptoms include mild cough and cold at the beginning, followed by paroxysms or fits of coughing with “whooping” or high pitched sound in between coughs, vomiting immediately after coughing, and low-grade fever.
The DOH, in a statement, cautioned the public in interpreting data on pertussis cases, saying the number of cases “may still change as there may be late consultations and reports.”
“The effects of increasing immunization efforts to stem the (pertussis) outbreak may not be seen in the data until 4 to 6 weeks after they are started,” it said.
On Tuesday, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said it appears the pertussis outbreak cases is under control. He said the amplified drive to vaccinate against pertussis will soon provide protection for the people. — Gerard Naval
