QC DECLARES WHOOPING COUGH OUTBREAK

THE Quezon City government has declared an outbreak of pertussis or whooping cough following the deaths of four infants.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said the city government has recorded 23 cases of pertussis, including four deaths from January to March 20.

Most of the cases were infants 22 days to 60 days old.

Belmonte said she has already ordered the City Health Department, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and all relevant city departments to beef up the awareness campaign, especially in the health centers, on how to prevent contracting pertussis.

She also advised the public not to panic, saying the city government has mobilized assets and resources to prevent the spread of the disease.

According to the city health department, pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can be transmitted through exposure to an infected person or contaminated items, including clothes and utensils.

Its symptoms are persistent cough for two or more weeks, mild fever and runny nose.

Pertussis is most contagious up to about three weeks after the cough begins, and many children who contract the infection have coughing spells that last four to eight weeks.

Infants and children from two months old should be given a routine DPT (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccination to avoid the disease

“The increasing number of pertussis cases is alarming and we are taking the necessary steps to prevent further transmission of the disease. We are extending our call to QC residents who are experiencing symptoms to seek medical care in our health centers,” Belmonte said.

 “We will do whatever it takes to curb the spread of this disease. We are mobilizing our own resources towards procuring the needed vaccines to keep our children safe, until such time as the DOH (Department of Health) supply arrives,” the mayor added.