Pertussis is a highly contagious disease that can be spread through droplets by sneezing or coughing.
There have so far been over 450 pertussis cases reported in the Philippines in 2024, a steep rise from the 23 cases logged in 2023.
Meanwhile, other areas in the country have also reported whooping cases. These include:
- Laguna (28 cases as of March 25)
- Batangas (24 cases as of March 25)
- Quezon province (10 cases as of March 25)
- Lucena City (2 cases as of March 25)
- Pasig City (25 cases as of March 22; 17 confirmed cases and 2 deaths)
While pertussis is contagious, the DOH said it does not expect the country to go on lockdown the way it did when the COVID-19 pandemic broke.
However, health authorities hope that Filipinos will apply the same measures they had taken to protect themselves from catching COVID-19.