In the midst of a pertussis outbreak that has reportedly claimed the lives of three individuals, the municipality of Kawit, Cavite, faces a critical public health challenge, reports said.

The local government unit (LGU) of Kawit, under the leadership of Mayor Angelo Aguinaldo, is allegedly unprepared, with no vaccines available to combat the spread of this highly contagious respiratory disease, also known as whooping cough.

The situation in Kawit is part of a larger trend in the Philippines, where over 450 cases of pertussis have been reported in 2024. 

This marks a significant increase from the previous year and highlights the urgent need for effective vaccination programs. 

The Department of Health (DOH) attributes the rise in cases to the country’s lag in vaccination efforts, particularly for children and infants.

While neighboring LGUs have stepped in to assist, the apparent lack of preparedness in Kawit raises concerns about the transparency of information and the readiness of local health systems to address such outbreaks, according to reports. 

The reported deaths and the hidden nature of the information suggest a gap in public health communication and response strategies of the Aguinaldo administration.

As the DOH expects additional doses of pertussis vaccines to arrive by June, the immediate focus must be on providing prophylactic care and raising public awareness. 

The De La Salle University Medical Center in Cavite is one of the facilities offering immunization services, which includes the pertussis vaccine as part of the Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) combination vaccine.

This outbreak, which caused the declaration of Iloilo City under state of emergency/calamity, serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining robust vaccination programs and the need for LGUs to be transparent and proactive in their public health measures. 

“The community’s well-being depends on the swift and coordinated efforts of both local and national health authorities to ensure that vaccines are accessible and that accurate information reaches the public without delay,” health experts said.

For now, the people of Kawit, and indeed all affected areas, must rely on the support of their communities and the promise of forthcoming vaccines to navigate this pertussis outbreak remains uncertain, online reports said.