By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Dr. Girlie Pinongan, head of the Provincial Health Office, announced two infant deaths attributed to Pertussis in Negros Occidental.

On Wednesday, Pinongan reported to journalists that a one-month-old infant passed away earlier this week in a state hospital.

Laboratory results the following day confirmed that the infant had Pertussis.

Another two-month-old who died on Tuesday is a suspected case of Pertussis, according to Pinongan.

The analysis of this second case’s specimen is ongoing.

This infant died in a district hospital located in the province’s northern region.

Pinongan withheld details regarding the gender and local government unit associated with the fatalities.

She revealed there are 18 probable cases of Pertussis across a wide age spectrum, from one month to 62 years old.

Despite rising case numbers, Pinongan has discounted the possibility of an outbreak.

Pertussis, a highly infectious bacterial disease marked by severe coughing, poses a significant risk to children younger than six months.

Parents are urged to limit outings with their children and to ensure vaccinations are up to date to mitigate the risk.

“The situation is manageable,” Pinongan asserted.