Pertussis: 329 cases reported, 23 deaths recorded
PUTRAJAYA - A total of 329 Pertussis cases have been reported nationwide, involving 23 deaths, as of last Saturday.
Health Director-General Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said of the total, Sabah recorded the highest number of cases at 181.
Selangor followed suit at 51 cases, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (15), Pahang and Perak (13), Melaka and Negeri Sembilan (12), Johor (nine), Sarawak (eight), Kelantan (seven) and Kedah along with Terengganu with three cases.
Penang and Labuan recorded one case each while no infections were recorded in Perlis.
Dr Muhammad Radzi added that out of the total, 219 cases or 66.6 per cent were locals, while 110 cases (33.4 per cent) involved foreigners.
"The age group with the highest number of cases is infants aged 12 months and below, with 189 cases," he said in a statement today.
“It was followed by children at the age of 10 with 94 cases and the rest were above 11 years old,” he said.
Radzi said parents were urged to gain complete immunisation according to the National Immunization Schedule.
“In this nation, the Pertussis vaccine would be given to children routinely at the age of two, three, five and 18 months.
“It would be given in a combination of vaccine of six series namely Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Hepatitis B and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B.
“Children who missed the immunisation can be taken to a nearby health clinic to complete their immunisation,” he said.
He said individuals with symptoms are advised to practice cough and sneeze etiquettes by covering their mouths and washing their hands to prevent the spread of infection to others, especially children.
“Immediately look for treatments if suffering from Pertussis symptoms,” he said.
