Iloilo City remains a “safe” destination to visit and explore despite the declaration of an outbreak of pertussis, according to the City Health Office (CHO).
Dr. Maria Jennifer Anceno, CHO’s National Immunization Program (NIP) coordinator, said visitors have nothing to worry about the pertussis outbreak in the city.
“Wala gid sang [sang dapat kabalak-an] kay kon tan-awon mo ang cases naton indi amo na kadamo compared with other cities. Wala ka dapat kulbaan,” Anceno told reporters.
As of April 1, CHO has recorded nine confirmed cases of pertussis, which came from the districts of Jaro, Arevalo, and Molo.
Anceno stressed that pertussis or whooping cough mainly affects infants and young children.
She urged the public to practice proper sneezing and cough etiquette, wear face masks, and wash hands often with soap to prevent the further spread of pertussis.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said pertussis can be transmitted through droplets produced by coughing or sneezing.
Its common symptoms are mild fever, runny or stuffy nose, and cough that appear about a week after infection. IMT
