BACOLOD City – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Negros Occidental has recorded one suspected case of pertussis or whooping cough.
The patient, who is reported to be in stable condition, is currently confined at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in this city.
Dr. Girlie Pinongan, PHO head, yesterday said they are awaiting the patient’s laboratory results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.
Based on the information they have gathered, Pinongan said the patient is not a resident of this city.
The PHO has cautioned the public, as pertussis is highly contagious respiratory disease and children are especially vulnerable to the infection.
Pinongan advised those who are showing symptoms of pertussis such as runny nose, low-grade fever and cough to immediately consult a doctor.
The symptoms can be mild for adults, however it can become severe among infants and young children.
Infection can be acquired primarily through direct contact with discharges from the respiratory mucus membranes of infected persons. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
