THE City of Santa Rosa in Laguna has declared a state of calamity due to an outbreak of pertussis or whooping cough.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod led by Vice Mayor Arnold Arcillas approved the recommendation of Mayor Arlene Arcillas and the Local Health Board, through Resolution No. 0052, Series of 2024, declaring the entire City of Santa Rosa under a state of calamity.

As of the latest count, there are 15 cases of pertussis in the city reported in barangays Caingin, Sinalhan, Kanluran, Market Area, and Dila.

Mayor Arcillas said they declared an outbreak of the disease since April 1. She explained that it is considered an outbreak once there are already two confirmed cases of pertussis.

The city has been monitoring pertussis cases since January 30 and immediately took action by conducting house-to-house vaccinations led by the City Health Office, with the help of the barangay health workers.

The city government also assisted families affected by pertussis by providing food supplies, health kits, and financial assistance.

Disinfection has also been carried out in affected households and schools.

The Santa Rosa City mayor assured city residents that there is no cause for alarm.

Mayor Arcillas said the declaration of the state of calamity aims at expediting the city’s response and assistance, especially to families affected by whooping cough.

The objective of the declaration is also to promptly procure the city’s own vaccine to reach more people and ultimately prevent the spread of the disease.

Meanwhile, the City Health Office continues to conduct house-to-house inoculation for children and infants in every barangay in the city, in addition to the routine vaccinations conducted at the barangay health stations.

According to city health officer II Dr. Soledad Rosanna Cunanan, they are also planning to provide Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) to pregnant women to provide additional protection to their unborn babies.

Diphtheria and pertussis spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds.

Dr. Cunanan advised the wearing of face masks while also practicing regular hand washing since pertussis can be transmitted by an infected person through respiratory droplets when coughing or sneezing.

She added that if someone experiences colds, cough, and fever for one to two weeks, continuous or incessant coughing with a “whooping” sound, and coughing followed by vomiting, should consult a doctor immediately or go to the nearest health center.

Pertussis can affect individuals of all ages, but it is particularly dangerous for children and infants, especially those who are unvaccinated.

The Department of Health said Pentavalent Vaccine, is administered in three doses (at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks old), with a booster after one year.