DOH reports 40 child deaths from pertussis

The Department of Health (DOH) has reported 40 child deaths due to pertussis nationwide as of March 16, 2024, marking a significant increase in cases compared to the previous year.

A total of 568 pertussis cases have been recorded from January 1 to March 16, which is more than 20 times the 26 cases reported during the same period in 2023.

Infants under six months old constitute the majority of the recorded cases, with 356 cases or 62.7% of the total.

A concerning number of these infants, 270 or 75.8%, were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.

Similarly, 67.6% of all pertussis cases, regardless of age, were found to be unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination history.

While there was a recent decrease in new cases in early March, the DOH remains cautious about interpreting this trend due to potential late reporting.