CAVITE UNDER STATE OF CALAMITY DUE TO PERTUSSIS OUTBREAK

THE province of Cavite was placed under a state of calamity due to the outbreak of whooping cough or pertussis.

The Provincial Board led by Vice Governor and presiding officer Athena Tolentino, together with 19 Board members, on Wednesday unanimously approved in a special session held via teleconferencing a resolution declaring the province of Cavite under a state of calamity.

Resolution no. 3050-2024 authorized Cavite Gov.  Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla Jr. to use the amount of P40-million from the Quick Response Fund of the 2024 Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund to effectively respond on the calamity.

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which spreads easily from person to person mainly through droplets produced by coughing or sneezing.

Last March 25, the Office of the Provincial Health Office under Dr.  John Dalisay, through the Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Unit, reported that there were 36 cases of pertussis in the province.

Six cases were from Bacoor City with one dead; six cases in Trece Martires City; five in General Trias with two dead; four in General Mariano Alvarez (GMA); three in Carmona City with one dead; three in Silang; two cases in Dasmariñas City; two in Kawit town; two in Imus City with one dead; one case in Cavite City; one case in Tagaytay City; and one case with one dead in General Emilio Aguinaldo (Bailen).

Pertussis is  most dangerous in infants and is a significant cause of disease and death in this age group.