Vaccine available against pertussis, DOH says
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Vaccine available against pertussis, DOH says
A parent holds her child as the child receives vaccination administered by the Department of Health (DOH). Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file

MANILA -- The Department of Health on Friday said pertussis or whooping cough disease is not new to the Philippines.
MANILA -- The Department of Health on Friday said pertussis or whooping cough disease is not new to the Philippines.
DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, the agency's deputy spokesperson, told ABS-CBN News that pertussis has been in the country and in other parts of the world for a long time.
DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, the agency's deputy spokesperson, told ABS-CBN News that pertussis has been in the country and in other parts of the world for a long time.
Domingo explained there are already available vaccines against the disease but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, vaccination programs against pertussis were affected.
Domingo explained there are already available vaccines against the disease but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, vaccination programs against pertussis were affected.
“Ang pertussis ay hindi bagong sakit, matagal nang nandiyan yan at matagal nang may bakuna. Dahil lamang sa ating pandemic worldwide hindi tayo nakapagbakuna, not only in the Philippines but in many other places kaya ngayon lumalabas yung mga dating bata, sanggol na pinanganak nung pandemic malamang sila ngayon yung nakikitaan nito and many other vaccine preventable diseases,” Domingo told ABS-CBN News.
“Ang pertussis ay hindi bagong sakit, matagal nang nandiyan yan at matagal nang may bakuna. Dahil lamang sa ating pandemic worldwide hindi tayo nakapagbakuna, not only in the Philippines but in many other places kaya ngayon lumalabas yung mga dating bata, sanggol na pinanganak nung pandemic malamang sila ngayon yung nakikitaan nito and many other vaccine preventable diseases,” Domingo told ABS-CBN News.
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Pertussis comes from a bacteria called bordetella pertussis that is airborne and can be transmitted by coughing.
Pertussis comes from a bacteria called bordetella pertussis that is airborne and can be transmitted by coughing.
“Yung pertussis ay dahil sa bacteria bordetella pertussis, nakukuha siya sa hangin so ang isang bumabahing o umuubo maari siyang makahawa ng nasa paligid niya na malapit o kaya nasa kuwarto na ang hangin ay kanilang hinihinga ng sabay-sabay,” Domingo explained.
“Yung pertussis ay dahil sa bacteria bordetella pertussis, nakukuha siya sa hangin so ang isang bumabahing o umuubo maari siyang makahawa ng nasa paligid niya na malapit o kaya nasa kuwarto na ang hangin ay kanilang hinihinga ng sabay-sabay,” Domingo explained.
Domingo said, based on monitoring, although most of the patients are infants and those 5 years old and below, adults can also be infected by this disease.
Domingo said, based on monitoring, although most of the patients are infants and those 5 years old and below, adults can also be infected by this disease.
DOH also explained the process of quarantine for those individuals who have closed contact with a confirmed pertussis patient.
DOH also explained the process of quarantine for those individuals who have closed contact with a confirmed pertussis patient.
“Ang ating isolation, kapag may sakit na…kapat ikaw ay nakatagpo ng isang tao na may pertussis at ikaw ay nagsimula na ng gamot or yung pasyente, puwedeng kahit mga 5 days lang yung isolation. Pero kung hindi pa naggagamot as long as 21 days kasi yung pinaka-infection niya 21 days. So 5 to 21 days,” Domingo said.
“Ang ating isolation, kapag may sakit na…kapat ikaw ay nakatagpo ng isang tao na may pertussis at ikaw ay nagsimula na ng gamot or yung pasyente, puwedeng kahit mga 5 days lang yung isolation. Pero kung hindi pa naggagamot as long as 21 days kasi yung pinaka-infection niya 21 days. So 5 to 21 days,” Domingo said.
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The Health Department assured the public, there are available vaccines against pertussis.
The Health Department assured the public, there are available vaccines against pertussis.
“Ang vaccine natin ay nasa mga regional level na. May mga region na mababa ang supply, may mga region na mataas. Ang ating infection ang cases ay hindi naman uniform, so kung saan yung maraming cases dun natin imo-move kung nasan yung ating mga bakuna na mababa naman ang gamit sa kanila,” he added.
“Ang vaccine natin ay nasa mga regional level na. May mga region na mababa ang supply, may mga region na mataas. Ang ating infection ang cases ay hindi naman uniform, so kung saan yung maraming cases dun natin imo-move kung nasan yung ating mga bakuna na mababa naman ang gamit sa kanila,” he added.
Over 400 pertussis cases have been logged by the DOH throughout the country as of March 9. Thirty-five of those cases resulted in deaths.
Over 400 pertussis cases have been logged by the DOH throughout the country as of March 9. Thirty-five of those cases resulted in deaths.
The DOH has noted cases in at least four regions: Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Western Visayas.
The DOH has noted cases in at least four regions: Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Western Visayas.
Quezon City on Thursday declared a pertussis outbreak after logging 23 cases in the first quarter of the year.
Quezon City on Thursday declared a pertussis outbreak after logging 23 cases in the first quarter of the year.
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Pasig City has the most cases in the capital region, according to the DOH--mostly affecting infants who have not completed or are yet to begin vaccinations.
Pasig City has the most cases in the capital region, according to the DOH--mostly affecting infants who have not completed or are yet to begin vaccinations.
The DOH said Iloilo City, with around 10 cases, is also posed to declare a pertussis outbreak.
The DOH said Iloilo City, with around 10 cases, is also posed to declare a pertussis outbreak.
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