The CHO further stressed the importance of timely case identification to provide appropriate treatment and curb further transmission, as well as the implementation of strict hygiene practices, such as handwashing with soap and water, wearing masks, and maintaining physical distance.
CHO explained that Pertussis can be acquired primarily through direct contact with discharges from the respiratory mucus membranes of the infected persons; and symptoms of this disease include a cough persisting for two or more weeks, paroxysms which usually occurs at night, followed by vomiting and exhaustion.
Meanwhile, aside from the outbreak declaration, the Iloilo City Council approved the declaration of state of calamity status due to the cases of Pertussis in the metro.
With the approval of the calamity declaration, the city government is set to utilize its P16 million quick response fund (QRF), which would be primarily used to procure medicines and vaccines.
The allocation will finance different treatment responses, including antibiotics for consumption for during the first one to two weeks before coughing paroxysms occur to reduce severity of symptoms; post-exposure prophylaxis to be recommended for all asymptomatic close contacts within 21 days of onset of symptoms; and post-exposure vaccination for unimmunized and incompletely immunized children less than 10 years old, children above 10 years old who have not received pertussis vaccine in the last 5 years, and pregnant women in their 3rd trimester.
The personnel of the Uswag Molecular Laboratory will also undergo training for Pertussis testing so the city will no longer send specimens to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). (AAL/JNH/PIA Iloilo)
