ILOILO – The Department of Health (DOH) urges parents of children aged six weeks to 59 months to bring their kids to the nearest Rural Health Unit (RHU) or health facility in Western Visayas to receive age-appropriate vaccines.
Additionally, DOH Region 6 calls on the community to adopt preventive measures to protect infants too young for vaccination against whooping cough, also known as pertussis, which is showing an upward trend in the region, according to its Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU).
As of March 9, 2024, the region has recorded 18 cases of pertussis, marking a 100 percent increase compared to the same period last year, which saw no reports. Of these, two cases have been laboratory-confirmed, while the results for the remaining specimens are awaited.
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease, especially dangerous to infants and young children, and remains a significant public health issue. It spreads primarily through direct contact with infected respiratory discharges or indirectly through droplets.
Symptoms include persistent coughing for two weeks or more, paroxysms typically at night, followed by vomiting and exhaustion.
Dr. Martin Atienza, Medical Officer III and Regional Coordinator for the National Immunization Program at DOH-6, notes that children infected with whooping cough may experience bouts of coughing up to 10 to 15 times at night, leading to severe fatigue and weakness.
Pertussis differs from ordinary coughs in duration and severity, lasting seven days or more with distinct stages: catarrhal, paroxysmal, and convalescent. Unvaccinated children are at a higher risk of infection.
Atienza said pertussis is preventable through vaccination at six, 10, and 14 weeks of age.
In response to the rising pertussis cases, the DOH-6 launched a catch-up immunization campaign in February 2024 for children who missed their vaccines for bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine (bOPV) and routine immunizations.
Atienza stresses the importance of timely vaccination for children, given the increase in pertussis cases.
Moreover, the DOH-6 advises the community to protect infants not yet eligible for vaccination and suggests avoiding exposure of susceptible infants and young children to individuals with flu-like symptoms. Parents are also encouraged to verify the vaccination status of their children and to adhere to the routine immunization schedule.
DOH-6 reiterated the significance of vaccination, early symptom detection, proper hygiene, and cough etiquette in combating pertussis. The public is reminded of the importance of hand-washing, wearing face masks, and seeking prompt medical care if pertussis symptoms are suspected./PN
