By Glaiza Salanio

On Thursday, March 21, the Quezon City (QC) government announced a pertussis or whooping cough outbreak after recording 23 cases and four deaths, mainly of infants aged 22 to 60 days.

In a press conference, QC Mayor Joy Belmonte said that she had already instructed the City Health Department, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and all other relevant departments within the city to raise virus awareness among the general public.

“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 QCitizens who are experiencing symptoms to seek medical care in our health centers,” she said.

Belmonte further reassured the public, urging them to remain calm as the local government has now deployed assets and resources to combat the spread of the virus.

“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,” she added.

She also delegated the task to the City Health Department’s Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Division for administering prophylaxis, patient isolation, and treatment in areas with reported cases. 

Additionally, she affirmed that enhanced monitoring and testing will be undertaken in high-risk areas to quickly identify and treat those who are symptomatic, especially individuals at risk.

Pertussis Disease

Pertussis, a contagious lung disease, is induced by the bacterium known as Bordetella pertussis that can spread person-to-person by sneezing and coughing.

While anyone can be infected by the disease, children aged five and under are mostly affected, particularly those who have not received vaccinations and have a weak immune system.

Symptoms typically resemble those of influenza, including mild fever, nasal congestion, and coughing that often progresses into a severe cough seven to ten days after exposure.

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