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DOH on pertussis outbreaks: No need to worry, but stay vigilant

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Arra Perez

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — An official from the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday assured there is nothing to worry about the declaration of pertussis outbreaks of some LGUs amid the rise in cases.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/26/pertussis-ex-gov-t-adviser-urges-mask-wearing-in-outbreak-areas-829">READ: Pertussis: Ex-gov&#x27;t adviser urges mask-wearing in outbreak areas</a></div><p>DOH Asec. Albert Domingo explained that an outbreak is declared when cases rise to an unusual number compared to what is normal, but it does not mean that the situation is beyond control.</p><p>&quot;Ang pagdeklara ng outbreak ay isang signal para sa ating mga kababayan na maging alerto,&quot; he told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>(The declaration of an outbreak is a signal for citizens to stay alert.) </p><p>&quot;Hindi kailangang mabahala, ngunit dapat maalerto,&quot; he added.</p><p>(We don&#x27;t need to worry, but we need to stay alert.)</p><p>The official said that pertussis is &quot;very far from COVID&quot;.  He said the disease has been known since the 16th century, and the first vaccines against it came out in the early 1900s. </p><p>He also said the vaccine for pertussis is &quot;extremely safe&quot; and is pentavalent, meaning it also protects against pertussis and 4 other diseases--diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B, Domingo said.</p><p>Pregnant women however are advised to ask their doctors for the appropriate vaccine.</p><p>The Health Department said it is also doing its best to secure pertussis vaccines at the earliest time possible, as DOH Undersecretary  Eric Tayag announced a June arrival for the 1 million of 3 million ordered vaccines. </p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/26/doh-3-million-pertussis-vaccine-doses-arriving-soonest-1120">READ: DOH: 3 million pertussis vaccine doses arriving &#x27;soonest&#x27;</a></div><p>&quot;Pero hindi kami nangangako ng oras kasi sabi nga namin, it&#x27;s better to see it delivered and ia-announce namin, kesa mangako kami tapos later hindi maka-fulfill e maraming magtatampo,&quot; Domingo said.</p><p>(But we cannot assure a time. For us, it&#x27;s better to see it delivered and then announce it, rather than make a promise that would later be unfulfilled and many will resent us for it.)</p><p>He added that there are 64,400 vaccine doses available and distributed to different regions nationwide.</p><p>The official also reiterated tips to prevent pertussis, which revolve around vaccination and respiratory hygiene.</p><p>Those 18 years old and below, especially those 5 and under should be vaccinated.</p><p>&quot;Maliban sa pagbabakuna, tayo ay dapat gumagawa ng tinatawag na respiratory hygiene. Hindi bago ito, ito rin iyong ginagawa natin dati,&quot; he added.  </p><p>(Aside from vaccination, we should also practice respiratory hygiene--which is not new.)</p><p>This means not coughing or sneezing anywhere, regularly washing hands with soap and water, or using alcohol if soap and water are not available. </p><div> </div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/06v5DHb-ERE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>An official from the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday assured there is nothing to worry about the declaration of pertussis outbreaks of some LGUs amid the rise in cases.</p>

An official from the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday assured there is nothing to worry about the declaration of pertussis outbreaks of some LGUs amid the rise in cases.