FORMER health secretary and House Deputy Majority Leader Janette advised the public on Friday to take extra precautions, observe proper hygiene, and get vaccinated following the Pertussis outbreak in Quezon City which claimed the lives of four infants.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte announced that the city has been experiencing a Pertussis outbreak, a contagious respiratory disease, and has recorded 23 cases as of March 20.

Garin noted that among the reasons for the rise of these cases was the recent decline in vaccine uptake due to widespread misinformation that makes an individual hesitant to be immunized.

“This is alarming but we can prevent the spread of this disease through vaccination and observing proper hygiene,” Garin said.

“One of its causes is the recent decline in vaccine uptake brought about by fake news and infodemic has also affected the uptake of DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus). Vaccination saves lives hence we need to catch up,” the lawmaker pointed out.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella that spreads easily from person to person mainly through droplets produced by coughing or sneezing which is most dangerous in infants.

Symptoms include a mild fever, runny nose, and cough, which in typical cases gradually develops into a hacking cough followed by whooping, WHO said.

The Department of Health (DOH) has urged the public to have immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases as cases of measles and pertussis continue to increase.

In the first 10 weeks of 2024, the DOH logged 453 cases of Pertussis which was a lot higher than in 2023 with only 23 cases in the same period.

“Nakakahawa po ito lalo na sa mga bata o sanggol. Dahil mga bata iyan, hindi nila alam kung saan sila pwedeng mahawa kaya malaki ang responsibilidad ng mga magulang dito para maprotektahan ang kanilang anak sa sakit na ito,” the Iloilo First District Representative ended.

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Ryan Ponce Pacpaco