The Iloilo Provincial Government is on high alert as it closely monitors the municipality of Sta. Barbara, where a concerning clustering of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, has been reported. In response, authorities expressed readiness to immediately procure vaccines to contain the surge in cases within the province.
From January 1 to March 23, the province has recorded 30 pertussis cases, resulting in seven fatalities.
Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon, head of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office, revealed during a press conference on Tuesday, April 2, that out of the 30 cases, nine were laboratory-confirmed. Among the seven deaths, only four were confirmed through laboratory tests, while two cases tested negative, and one remained a probable case.
Get The Vaccines
Dr. Quiñon emphasized the critical importance of immunization, noting that all the deaths, except for one four-month-old from Sta. Barbara who received two doses of the vaccine and survived, occurred in individuals who were below the target age for immunization.
Sta. Barbara, in particular, has witnessed a clustering of cases across three barangays, prompting preparations for a town-wide outbreak declaration.
Proactive Measures
Meanwhile, other towns in the province have reported isolated cases.
Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Jr. underscored the necessity of proactive measures, emphasizing the need to augment the capacity of rural health units and hospitals.
Defensor directed the continuous monitoring of rural health centers' capabilities and ongoing immunization programs to curb the spread of the disease.
Funding for additional vaccines, if required, can be sourced from the province's local disaster risk reduction and management fund, according to the governor.
Adequately Prepared
However, Dr. Quiñon reassured that municipalities are adequately prepared. There are available vaccine stocks and necessary medical supplies for potential augmentation, if needed, she said.
As the province remains vigilant against the threat of whooping cough, authorities are committed to swift and decisive action to safeguard public health and mitigate the impact of the outbreak.
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