But no outbreak yet: Pertussis cases now “alarming”

CEBU, Philippines — The increasing pertussis cases in Cebu City is an "alarming" situation with three reported infant deaths this year, but the Cebu City Health Department says there is no need yet for a declaration of an outbreak.

In an online press conference yesterday, March 27, 2024, Cebu City Health officer Dr. Daisy Villa explained that the increasing cases in the city is an alarming matter, but they are doing their best to contain it.

“Yes alarming. Alarming talaga ang cases natin kasi tumaas kahit alam natin na every year meron tayong kaso,” Villa said.

From January until March 25, 2024, 36 cases have already been reported in Cebu City, which include 12 clinically-confirmed cases and 24 laboratory-confirmed. Of the said cases, three infants succumbed to the disease.

Laboratory-confirmed, Villa explained, are those suspected with pertussis and were subjected to swabs, while clinically-confirmed are those that showed positive in the swabs.

The three deaths reported in Cebu City include a month-old baby that was admitted last December 2023, but died on February 1, 2024. The second death was a 16-day-old who died last February 7, 2024. The third death was a 2-month-old who died last February 20, 2024.

"Kaning atong death is laboratory-confirmed na siya, wala siya naka dawat og vaccine," said Villa.

But while cases have only been increasing this year, pertussis has already been recorded in previous years.

According to Villa, Cebu City recorded three pertussis cases last 2019. In 2021, the city recorded one case, and the following year there were three cases. In 2023, the city also recorded one death while three cases were clinically confirmed. The said death came from Barangay Labangon.

Even in the previous years since 2017, the city already had records of pertussis cases, although these were suspected cases, said Villa.

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a "highly-communicable" disease of the respiratory tract caused by a bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. It is transmitted through respiratory droplets and is one of the major causes of childhood morbidity and mortality, hence the need for vaccinations.

Among the symptoms that Villa highlighted is a cough lasting at least two weeks, paroxysms or fit of cough, inspiratory whooping, and post-tussive vomiting.

Further, Villa said the increase of cases this year may be due to the low immunization rate in the city.

"Atong mga ginikanan kay kuyawan na kaayo magpabakuna kay actually kining mga bakunaha nga atong gipanghatag is mga routine nga vaccination ni siya, prevent sa disease," said Villa.

"Unya nikalit rag down atong accomplishment kay mao to sya daghan kaayo nahitabo during the time sa Dengvaxia," she added.

According to Villa, what happened during the rounds of Dengvaxia might have instilled fear among the parents that went on until the fight against the COVID-19.

Villa said they received the report of pertussis cases last February 16, 2024. From there, they started a meeting with barangay officials and the City health team.

The day after, the City Health coordinated with barangays with suspected cases, which are Barangays Mabolo, Pasil, Sawang Calero, Binaliw, Tisa, Suba, and Cogon Pardo.

In line with this, Villa said they immediately commenced their catch-up and immediate containment vaccination, especially to infants from six weeks to 56 months within the areas that are in a 56-meter radius of the barangays that were affected.

Villa, further, assured that there are enough vaccines in the city.

With this, Villa stressed on the importance of routine vaccinations, and hopes parents would have their children fully-vaccinated. — /ATO (FREEMAN)