Bohol province currently has 17 cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, with 6 confirmed and 11 suspected cases this year.
This was revealed in the April 5 edition of The Capitol Reports, themed “What We Need To Know About Pertussis.”
The panelists included Dr. Cesar Tomas Lopez, Provincial Health Office (PHO) officer-in-charge; Machiavilla Caliao, PHO EP program coordinator nurse III; Fritzie Olaguir, PHO PESU nurse coordinator HEPO II; and Dr. Jeia Pondoc, City Health Office head.
According to PHO data, from January to March 2024, there were 12 confirmed cases, all of whom have fully recovered, with three currently admitted and two under continuous monitoring.
The cases were recorded in the towns of Catigbian, Corella, Cortes, Dauis, Talibon, and Ubay.
Pertussis is a contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.
Unlike COVID-19, it spreads through droplets or close contact, leading to severe coughing fits that can make breathing difficult for the affected individual.
The infection primarily affects infants to preteens aged 0-12 due to their developing respiratory systems and lower immunity. It is particularly dangerous for infants, with 87% of cases being under one year old.
Health authorities advise parents and expectant parents to visit their nearest health centers for vaccination.
Pregnant women are recommended to receive the TDAP vaccine, which covers tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, from their first trimester or between 27 to 36 weeks.
Infants as young as six weeks old can also receive the pentavalent vaccine, which targets five diseases in one shot, including TDAP, hepatitis-B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B, along with immunizations for oral polio and pneumococcal diseases.
During The Capitol Reports, speakers urged a holistic social approach, collaborating with churches and other faith-based organizations, volunteers, and the media to spread awareness about the bacterial infection.
The resource speakers emphasized that vaccinations are free and available at every Rural Health Unit (RHU) in the province. They reminded listeners to follow the regular vaccination schedule for the well-being of their infants.
As pertussis is a recurring infection, vaccination is strongly encouraged because it is a preventable disease that can worsen and lead to death if not contained.
PHO has assured elderly individuals, especially those who are immunocompromised, that they will receive treatment along with family members, as contact tracing is conducted.
PHO encourages wearing face masks in work areas, clinics, and closed spaces, along with proper respiratory hygiene—sneezing and coughing etiquette, handwashing, using hand sanitizers and alcohol for disinfection, and maintaining proper nutrition and hydration.