ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has decided against declaring a widespread outbreak of pertussis, or whooping cough, across the province or its municipalities, even as it prepares to step-up immunization efforts primarily focused on children who have not completed their routine immunizations.
The IPHO is instead advocating for the recognition of “localized outbreaks” at the barangay level where cases have been confirmed.
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease characterized by violent coughing fits, which make it hard for the affected individuals to breathe. The disease is particularly dangerous for young children and infants.
IPHO’s approach was revealed following a meeting held on Tuesday afternoon by the Civil Defense Cluster Council of the Iloilo provincial government. The meeting assessed the pertussis cases in the province, acting upon a directive from Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, head of the IPHO, noted that the confirmed pertussis cases were evenly distributed across the municipalities, with only one to two cases reported per municipality. This distribution pattern prevents the declaration of a province-wide outbreak, although municipalities with sufficient cases could consider such a declaration.
Currently, Santa Barbara is the only municipality in the province with two barangays reporting two confirmed cases each. However, it does not meet the criteria for declaring a municipal-wide outbreak, which requires three or more barangays to report cases.
“As of now, only Santa Barbara has two barangays with outbreak cases, but no declaration has been made at the town level. A declaration would require at least three affected barangays,” Quiñon explained.
The discussion also covered allowing barangays with confirmed pertussis cases to declare a “localized outbreak” to facilitate the implementation of preventative measures.
“There is no justification for declaring a province-wide outbreak of pertussis at this time. We are simply stating that barangays with cases are allowed to declare localized outbreaks,” Quiñon stressed.
As of March 16, the province recorded nine confirmed cases, including two fatalities, and seven suspected or probable cases, with one resulting in death.
The confirmed cases are distributed as follows: Santa Barbara – two cases (both survivors), Dumangas – one (deceased), Balasan – one (deceased), Tubungan – one (survivor), Cabatuan – one (survivor), Banate – one (survivor), Pavia – one (survivor), and San Joaquin – one (survivor). The suspected cases are from: Miag-ao – two (one survivor, one deceased), Dumangas – one (survivor), Badiangan – one (survivor), Concepcion – one (survivor), Anilao – one (survivor), and Guimbal – one (survivor).
A “probable case” is identified as one that meets the clinical definition but is neither laboratory-confirmed nor epidemiologically linked to a confirmed case.
The IPHO and local government units (LGUs) are in discussions to determine if there is a need to increase the supply of medicines and drugs to combat pertussis.
The availability of the Pentavalent vaccine, which offers protection against five life-threatening diseases including pertussis, is part of the immunization program for children at six weeks, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks old.
This initiative is particularly focused on reaching children aged 12 months and below, and those between 12 months to two years old who have not completed their routine immunizations, offering at least one dose of the vaccine in barangays with confirmed pertussis cases.
“For children who missed their routine vaccinations, specifically those under 12 months and up to 23 months or below two years old, we will administer a single dose in barangays where cases have been reported,” said Quiñon.
For adults displaying symptoms of pertussis, such as a prolonged cough lasting more than two weeks, Quiñon advised visiting the Rural Health Unit (RHU) for appropriate antibiotic treatment.
She also urged the public to practice good cough etiquette, avoid kissing / staying away from unvaccinated babies, infants, pregnant women, and the elderly./PN