DOH logs 453 cases of whooping cough in first 10 weeks of 2024

DOH logs 453 cases of whooping cough in first 10 weeks of 2024

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) reported a significant increase in pertussis or whooping cough cases during the first 10 weeks of 2024 compared to the same period in previous years.

In a statement on Thursday, the DOH said there were only 52 pertussis cases in the first 10 weeks of 2019, 27 in 2020, 7 in 2021, 2 in 2022, and 23 in 2023.

However, this has notably increased as the number of pertussis cases in the first 10 weeks of the year was already at 453.

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According to the DOH, pertussis, or ‘ubong-dalahit’ or ‘tuspirina’ in Filipino, is a “highly contagious” bacterial respiratory infection that manifests through influenza-like symptoms such as mild fever, colds, and coughs seven to 10 days after exposure.

It can be treated with antibiotics and prevented through vaccination.

Surge in pertussis cases

The DOH noted that four years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the department has been “urgently working” with local government units and partners to boost the public’s immunization for vaccine-preventable diseases such as pertussis.

“This aligns with an urgent call by the WHO and UNICEF for urgent vaccination to protect the lives of children, even as Europe experienced a more than 30-fold rise in measles cases in 2023, as reported by the WHO. Countries in Europe have also registered similar alarming increases in pertussis cases,” the DOH statement read.

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Pertussis, a disease caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria, is common among infants and children.

The department also said that experts link the international lifting of COVID-19 restrictions to the increased transmission of diseases preventable by vaccines.

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