Santa Rosa has been placed under State of Calamity due to a Pertussis or whooping cough outbreak in the city.
Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas and the Local Health Board recommended to the Sangguniang Panlungsod to place the City of Santa Rosa under State of Calamity to expedite the response against Pertussis and to facilitate the city's procurement of its own vaccine.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod led by Vice Mayor Arnold B. Arcillas approved the recommendation on April 3, 2024, through Resolution No. 0052, Series of 2024, declaring the entire City of Santa Rosa under State of Calamity.
As of the latest count, there are 15 cases of Pertussis in the city. The barangays of Caingin, Sinalhan, Kanluran, Market Area, and Dila have reported cases of Pertussis.
Mayor Arlene announced back on April 1 that there was a Pertussis outbreak in Santa Rosa as it is considered an outbreak once there are already two confirmed cases of Pertussis.
The city has been monitoring Pertussis cases since January 30 and immediately took action by conducting house-to-house vaccinations led by the City Health Offices with the assistance of Barangay Health Workers.
Additionally, the City Government has also assisted families affected by Pertussis by providing food supplies, health kits, and financial assistance. Disinfection has also been carried out in affected households and schools.
Mayor Arlene reassured the citizens that there is no need for alarm. The declaration of State of Calamity is aimed at expediting the city's response and assistance, especially to families affected by Pertussis. It also aims to promptly procure the city's own vaccine to reach more people and ultimately prevent the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, the City Health Offices continue to conduct house-to-house vaccinations for children and infants in every barangay in the city in addition to the routine vaccinations conducted at barangay health stations.
According to Dr. Soledad Rosanna Cunanan, City Health Officer II, the city also aims to provide Tdap vaccine to pregnant women to provide additional protection to their unborn babies from Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (whooping cough). While the Td vaccine is regularly given, due to the outbreak, the city will provide Tdap as long as there is an adequate supply.
Dr. Cunanan advises wearing face masks while also practicing regular hand washing since Pertussis can be transmitted by an infected person through respiratory droplets when coughing or sneezing.
She also adds that if someone experiences colds, cough, and fever (<38°C) for one to two weeks, continuous or incessant coughing with a "whooping" sound, and coughing followed by vomiting, they should consult a doctor immediately or go to the nearest health center.
Pertussis can affect individuals of all ages, but it is particularly dangerous for children and infants, especially those who are unvaccinated. Therefore, the Department of Health advises vaccination with the Pentavalent Vaccine, administered in three doses at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks old, with a booster after one year.
References: DR. SOLEDAD ROSANNA C. CUNANAN
City Health Officer II
City Health Office I, City of Santa Rosa
09175441246
