Negros Occidental logs first pertussis fatality

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The province of Negros Occidental recorded its first fatality from pertussis and 11 more confirmed cases as of yesterday.

Provincial health officer Girlie Pinongan said a one-month-old baby died of pertussis at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital last week.

Of the 11 confirmed cases, six were in Bacolod and the rest in different areas of the province.

Of 36 suspected pertussis-related cases, five turned out positive including the fatality while five were negative, according to examination results issued by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

The remaining 26 suspected cases are still being examined by the RITM.

Pinongan said there is no outbreak of pertussis, or whooping cough, in the province based on the criteria set by the Department of Health. She said the situation is still manageable.