Story: ELMER RECUERDO
Photo from the Net
Photo from the Net
A three-month old infant died of suspected pertussis, the first mortality from the dreaded disease in Eastern Visayas which continues to see a rise of cases.
Jelyn Malibago, regional information officer at the Department of Health in Eastern Visayas, said the three-month old infant from Gamay, Northern Samar died last April 11.
Malibago said the infant is already immunized against tuberculosis, hepatitis B, polio and pneumococcal disease, but have not yet received the pentavalent vaccine.
The pentavalent vaccine, administered when an infant reaches six weeks old, fights against five potential killers – Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertusis, type B influenza, and Hepatitis B.
Jelyn Malibago, regional information officer at the Department of Health in Eastern Visayas, said the three-month old infant from Gamay, Northern Samar died last April 11.
Malibago said the infant is already immunized against tuberculosis, hepatitis B, polio and pneumococcal disease, but have not yet received the pentavalent vaccine.
The pentavalent vaccine, administered when an infant reaches six weeks old, fights against five potential killers – Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertusis, type B influenza, and Hepatitis B.
The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of DOH-8 recorded a total of 48 pertussis cases in the region – seven of them are confirmed pertussis cases based on laboratory tests conducted at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
Malibago said the seven confirmed pertussis cases were among the 29 specimens that were sent to RITM for confirmatory testing. Of the 29 specimens, seven turned out positive of pertussis-causing bacteria, 17 were negative and five are still awaiting the result.
The DOH regional office sent on Thursday, 18 April, a total of 25 specimens to the RITM also for confirmatory testing.
Meanwhile, RESU -8 reported that of the 48 pertussis cases, 35 of them are infants below one-year-old, eight are between 5-10 years old, four are 11-20 years old bracket and one is above 21 years old.
RESU-8 data also shows that of the 48 cases, 33 of them have not received a single dose of pentavalent vaccine, four are partially immunized or has received at least one of the three doses, while 11 are fully immunized.
Among the provinces and independent cities in Eastern Visayas, Leyte recorded the highest with 48 cases, Eastern Samar with eight cases, Northern Samar with seven, Tacloban City with five, Southern Leyte with three, Samar with two and one case in Ormoc City. The province of Biliran has no reported cases of suspected pertussis.(CJ/jmm/ER)
Malibago said the seven confirmed pertussis cases were among the 29 specimens that were sent to RITM for confirmatory testing. Of the 29 specimens, seven turned out positive of pertussis-causing bacteria, 17 were negative and five are still awaiting the result.
The DOH regional office sent on Thursday, 18 April, a total of 25 specimens to the RITM also for confirmatory testing.
Meanwhile, RESU -8 reported that of the 48 pertussis cases, 35 of them are infants below one-year-old, eight are between 5-10 years old, four are 11-20 years old bracket and one is above 21 years old.
RESU-8 data also shows that of the 48 cases, 33 of them have not received a single dose of pentavalent vaccine, four are partially immunized or has received at least one of the three doses, while 11 are fully immunized.
Among the provinces and independent cities in Eastern Visayas, Leyte recorded the highest with 48 cases, Eastern Samar with eight cases, Northern Samar with seven, Tacloban City with five, Southern Leyte with three, Samar with two and one case in Ormoc City. The province of Biliran has no reported cases of suspected pertussis.(CJ/jmm/ER)
