AN OFFICIAL of the City Health Office assured that there is no outbreak of pertussis cases, as of Thursday, April 4.
Dr. Julinda K. Acosta, CHO Technical Division chief said they don’t consider the number of confirmed cases in the city for the first quarter of 2024 to be alarming.
Acosta revealed during the iSpeak media forum that there are two confirmed cases, a three-month-old and a four-month-old from Agdao District and Barangay 9-A.
The official reported seven initial suspected cases that turned out negative. Meanwhile, there is one still pending in the laboratory and one inconclusive of pertussis.
From the two confirmed cases, the four-month-old has no vaccination history, while the three-month-old received only one dose of the pentavalent vaccine. Both babies are now recovering.
“We cannot say there is an outbreak, but what we are planning now is to conduct PIRI to mitigate the increase of cases,” she said.
Periodic Intensification of Routine Immunization (PIRI) is a catch-up immunization of 0-23 months old with incomplete vaccination and those who are due for vaccination.
A six-week-old baby should receive the first dose of the vaccine; the second dose in the 10th week; and the third dose will be administered on their 14th week. Completion of three doses is necessary for the children to get protection against the disease.
The CHO’s annual immunization coverage report for 2023 shows that the percentage of total immunized children declines from the first to the third dose.
The report showed that 82.81% of the total population of six-week-old babies received 1st dose; 80.71% received the second dose; while only 80.21% received the third dose.
“One dose does not mean the child is fully protected, three doses should be completed,” she added stressing vaccination for children is the only preventive measure against pertussis.
CHO has started routine immunizations in barangay health centers every Wednesday every week. Apart from that, health workers are also deployed at the barangay level door-to-door locating the parents of babies due for vaccination.
Acosta advised early consultation for adults who experience continuous coughing fits to get immediate medical attention. They are also encouraged to wear face masks inside the household and minimize contact with the children to prevent passing the disease.
Adults without symptoms but are in close contact with the babies are told to visit the health center for post-exposure prophylaxis and receive an antibiotic.
The official stressed pertussis can be transferred through saliva and droplets from coughing and sneezing.
To recall, CHO recorded a total of 25 confirmed cases of pertussis out of 77 suspected last year.
Acosta said the office is in close coordination with the Southern Philippines Medical Center to conduct validation if the pertussis patient is coming from the city for necessary assistance.
