BACOLOD CITY – The City Health Office (CHO) on Monday reported the first pertussis fatality this year here.

Dr. Grace Tan, head of the CHO Environment Sanitation Division, said the fatality was a six-year-old boy from Barangay Villamonte who died on May 26.
The CHO has recorded a total of 53 probable pertussis cases – 16 confirmed and 33 negative.
The results of four suspected pertussis cases are still pending.
The CHO reported that barangays in this city with the highest number of pertussis cases were Taculing, with three, and two each in Tangub, Villamonte, and Vista Alegre.
Mayor Albee Benitez and Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson have issued a joint public health advisory on pertussis awareness.
They advised the public to be aware of the increasing number of confirmed pertussis and pertussis probable cases in this city and the province.