Hey amigos! 🚨 There's an important health update coming from our friends in the Philippines. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is making a comeback and it's causing some serious concerns.
Just recently, the province of Cavite, southwest of Manila, declared a state of calamity due to an outbreak of pertussis. As of March 25, they've reported 36 cases and sadly, six deaths. 😔 This makes Cavite the fourth province to declare an outbreak, following Iloilo City, Quezon City, and Pasig City.
According to the Philippines' Department of Health (DOH), since the beginning of this year, 40 children have lost their lives to this contagious disease. Between January 1 and March 16, there have been 568 reported cases, a staggering increase compared to just 26 cases during the same period last year. 😱
So, what's pertussis anyway? It's a highly contagious bacterial disease that spreads through the air when someone coughs or sneezes. Think of it like that annoying kid in class who just can't stop coughing! 😷 For babies and small children, it's particularly dangerous and can lead to serious complications.
But here's the good news: there's a way to fight back! 🛡️ The best defense against pertussis is immunization. The DOH is urging parents to vaccinate their little ones as early as six weeks old. Vaccinations are like the superhero shield 🦸♂️ that protects us from these pesky germs!
Let's spread the word (not the germs!) and keep our communities safe. Share this info with your squad and make sure everyone stays informed!
Stay healthy, stay safe! ❤️
Reference(s):
Contagious pertussis disease continues spreading in the Philippines
cgtn.com
