Mandatory face mask use not needed amid whooping cough outbreak in QC —official

There is no need to make the wearing of face masks mandatory again amid the outbreak of whooping cough or pertussis in Quezon City, the local government said Friday.

“Hindi naman po necessary na mandatory ang pagsusuot ng face mask, lalung-lalo na kung wala naman kayo sintomas,” Dr. Rolando Cruz, OIC of the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division, said on Unang Balita.

(Mandatory face mask use is not necessary especially if you don’t have symptoms.)

Despite this, Cruz advised adults who have symptoms to wear face masks at home and when going outside, especially when in the presence of children.

“Importante po 'yung pagsusuot ng face mask sa mga household, especially doon sa mga miyembro na may sintomas... at huwag silang lalapit doon sa mga sanggol o sa mga bata na hindi pa nababakunahan ng para sa sakit,” he said.

(The wearing of face mask is important in the household, especially for members who have symptoms, and they shouldn’t kgo near babies or children who have yet to be vaccinated against the illness.)

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday declared a pertussis outbreak in the city after 23 cases were reported as of March 20.

Pertussis is a contagious disease in lungs caused by a bacteria called Bordetella pertussis, the Quezon City government said, citing the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Four babies who are less than six months old already died due to the infection.

“Ang reminders namin, talagang hindi dapat ilalapit muna sa mga crowded areas ang inyong mga sanggol, nilalabas sa household para hindi sila ma-expose doon sa mga taong probably may dala ng sakit,” Cruz said.

(We would like to remind that babies shouldn’t be brought to crowded areas or outside the house so they would not be exposed to those who are probably infected.)

Cruz said that adults may also get infected with pertussis but will only have minor symptoms if they have already been vaccinated.  —KBK, GMA Integrated News