BANGUED, Abra (PIA) – The Provincial Department of Health Office (PDOHO) in Abra is ready in case of suspected transmission of Pertussis in the province.
 
PDOHO Head Dr. Lilibeth Martin said that the PDOHO with the Provincial Health Office and other health sectors are on code white alert as cases of Pertussis continue to rise in the country.

“Naka-code white alert tayo. Kayat na nga saoen ket naka-alert amin nga health sector in terms of emergencies brought about by this transmission of Pertussis. Adda dagitoy system tayo in place just like the COVID-19 before,” she  said.
 
Pertussis or "uyek-ugiit" in the local dialect,  is a bacterial infection that affects the respiratory tract. It is a contagious infection that manifests  as violent cough followed by an inhale for air that causes a ‘whooping’ sound.
 
Martin added that Pertussis is vaccine-preventable disease that can be prevented through full immunization of young children.
 
“Kaaduan na nga maafectaran daytoy ket dagitoy ubbing from kaiannak until dagitoy ubbing paylaeng nga isuda ti vulnerable group iti daytoy. Dapat ma-receive da daydiay umanatup ken kumpleto nga bakuna tapno maibaga nga fully immunized child isuda,” she emphasized.

The PDOHO head also shared that children who have not been fully immunized due to some reasons are more vulnerable to be infected by the disease.

She advised parents to monitor their children of symptoms such coughing fits, sneezing, nasal discharge, fever, sore and watery eyes, among others.
 
“Always subject your children nu adda dagitay simtomas nga kasdiay, whether it be Pertussis or not, basta nu adda sakit nga marikna ti maysa nga anak, ipa-check up da nga ipa-check up tapnu makita nga nasayaat,” Martin said.
 
Meanwhile, the Department of Health-Cordillera reported a  total of 32 suspected Pertussis cases  in the region from January 1 to March 23, 2024. Of the five which are laboratory-confirmed, four are from Baguio City, and one  from Benguet.(JDP/JJPM-PIA Abra