THE city government of Cagayan de Oro has alerted residents that whooping cough is re-emerging as a health concern in the area.
Earlier today, City Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy awaited updates from the City Health Office on the next steps to be taken; meanwhile, he emphasized the importance of immediate caution to prevent contracting this contagious respiratory disease.
City Health Officer Dr. Rachel Dilla late afternoon clarified that there is no ‘outbreak’ of pertussis, also known as ‘whooping cough’, in the area.
Dr. Dilla emphasized this despite confirming three cases of pertussis in Cagayan de Oro. She urged parents to have their young children (aged one year and below) vaccinated against pertussis to prevent the spread of the disease.
Previous reports have indicated an uptick in whooping cough cases in areas such as Pasig, Quezon City, Cavite, and Iloilo City.
Sheila Lumbatan, chief of staff of the City Mayor’s Office, stated that the Mayor has advised the public to adopt preventive measures, such as wearing masks, to curb the spread of the infection.
To prevent the spread of whooping cough, officials encouraged voluntary use of face masks as a personal protection measure, regular handwashing, and staying at home if feeling unwell.
According to the Department of Health, whooping cough poses a significant risk, resulting in approximately 40 fatalities among children and 568 infections from January 1 to March 16 – a sharp increase from the 26 cases reported during the same period last year.
Lumbatan mentioned that Mayor Uy is considering reinstating the mask mandate and urges citizens to prioritize their health by wearing masks in the interim.
The Department of Health in Northern Mindanao issued a statement today to provide further information on the whooping cough cases in the region.
There have been 6 reported cases this year, which is higher than last year’s count of zero.
The affected individuals received hospital treatment and have since recovered. Out of these cases, two were laboratory-confirmed, with one of them being a resident of Cagayan de Oro City.
Fortunately, there have been no deaths, and the disease predominantly affects unvaccinated infants.
Whooping cough is an airborne disease that can be contracted through exposure to coughs or sneezes. It is characterized by a distinctive “whooping” sound during inhalation. Infants may not exhibit a cough but could exhibit cyanosis (turning blue) during episodes.
Vaccination is an effective prevention method against whooping cough and is considered safe. The health department encourages parents to ensure their children are vaccinated at local health centers.
The spread of whooping cough can also be mitigated by covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a tissue or elbow and by frequently washing your hands.
The health department is monitoring the situation closely and will keep the public informed.
Lumbatan noted that the presence of outbreaks in various parts of the country highlights the need for collective efforts to prevent further cases.
Mayor Klarex’s message serves as a reminder of the critical role each individual plays in safeguarding our community’s health, particularly for children who are vulnerable to severe illness, Lumbatan elaborated.
She added that the mayor is urging the public to stay informed and heed the advice of health authorities to protect against whooping cough.
The City Health Office (CHO) will continue to assess the situation and guide the community on maintaining health and family safety.
In discussions with city officials, Mayor Uy expressed that vigilance and collaboration are key to enhancing the wellbeing of the community.
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