THE public, particularly schoolchildren, has been advised to wear face masks amid the rise in pertussis or whooping cough cases.

During a briefing Friday, infectious diseases expert Dr. Rontegene Solante recommended the wearing of masks in public places after noting the increase of pertussis cases this month.

'THAT HURTS' A health worker injects a pentavalent vaccine on an infant at a health center in Quezon City on Friday, March 22, 2024. The Quezon City government declared an outbreak of pertussis or whooping cough after logging 23 cases, including four deaths, mostly infants from 22 to 60 days old. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The Western Visayas Center for Health and Development reported a total of 18 pertussis cases in the region as of March 9, a 100-percent increase from the figure during the same period last year.

On Thursday, Quezon City declared a pertussis outbreak after recording 23 cases, including four deaths.

"Yes I highly recommend wearing of face masks, especially for the children who go to school. They are one of the vulnerable populations," Solante said.

Also on Thursday, the government advised the public to get vaccinated against the disease.

"While it can be treated with antibiotics, it is best prevented with vaccination. So to the parents, get your children vaccinated. There are free jabs in health centers," Solante said.

Pertussis (ubong-dalahit or tuspirina in Filipino) is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection that causes influenza-like symptoms of mild fever, colds, and coughs, seven to 10 days after exposure.

According to the Department of Health (DoH), whooping cough is common in children under five years old.

It can be acquired primarily through direct contact with discharges from the respiratory mucus membranes of infected persons.

Solante said symptoms can manifest as a cough persisting for two or more weeks, followed by vomiting.

Three primary immunization doses of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine) confer immunity to pertussis, according to experts.

Booster doses are recommended for children after 1 year old, 4-6 years old, and at 11 years old.

Likewise, the 5-in-1 vaccine, also known as the DTaP/IPV/Hib vaccine, is one of the first vaccines that a baby should have.

The single injection protects them against five serious childhood diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and Hib or Haemophilus influenzae type b.

This 5-in-1 vaccine is available in health centers nationwide.