No outbreak in Iloilo, only ‘isolated’ cases

ILOILO CITY: The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) said the provincial government cannot declare a province-wide outbreak of pertussis, or whooping cough, as the confirmed cases are only “isolated” in several towns.

“Our cases are distributed across towns and are isolated within barangay [villages] [...] So far, there is no reason for us to declare a province-wide outbreak of pertussis,” said Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, head of the IPHO.

Colmenares-Quiñon further explained that the provincial government can only declare a province-wide outbreak if towns report a “localized outbreak” of the highly contagious respiratory infection.

The latest data from the IPHO showed that there have been 16 reported cases, nine of which are confirmed, including three fatalities. Two suspected cases have tested negative for the infection.

The IPHO also noted that one of the fatalities was a probable pertussis case, as the patient displayed symptoms of the infection but no laboratory tests were conducted before the patient passed away.

Confirmed cases of pertussis have been documented in several towns including Santa Barbara, Dumangas, Balasan, Tubungan, Cabatuan, Banate, Pavia and San Joaquin. Suspected cases have also been reported in Miagao, Dumangas, Badiangan, Concepcion, Anilao and Guimbal.

Santa Barbara has reported the highest number of confirmed cases, with two cases originating from Barangay Inangayan and Barangay Miraga-Guibuangan.

“Santa Barbara has two barangay experiencing an outbreak of cases, but there has been no declaration yet from the local government unit,” said Colmenares-Quiñon.

For a town to declare an outbreak, the IPHO head said there must be at least three barangay with positive cases of the infection.

The IPHO further assured the public that the province has “adequate” vials of pentavalent vaccines for the routine immunization of children at six weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks old.

Preliminary investigations conducted by IPHO revealed that most cases occurred in infants ages 28 days to four months who had not received pertussis vaccinations.

The IPHO and the Civil Defense Cluster Council of the Iloilo provincial government, upon a directive from Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., convened an emergency meeting on Tuesday afternoon, March 26.