Starfruit (malangkota.go.id) – The Malang City Health Office (Dinkes) is trying to increase the achievement of infant and toddler immunization. This was done following the report of five cases of pertussis (whooping cough) in March 2023.
"Pertussis cases have not been found for a long time, because pertussis is a disease that can be prevented by immunization. There were seven suspected pertussis cases and five of them turned out to be positive based on the results of sample examinations from the Prof. Sri Oemiyati Infectious Disease Research Laboratory in Jakarta," said the Head of the Malang City Health Office, Dr. Husnul Muarif, Tuesday (14/3/2023)
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is an infectious disease of the lungs and respiratory tract caused by the bacteria Bordetella Pertussis. Pertussis sufferers usually experience a hard, uncontrollable cough until the sufferer has difficulty breathing. This disease is highly contagious and is prone to attacking toddlers and children aged 2-6 years. Several complications can also occur such as pneumonia, respiratory arrest, and even death.
Pertussis is transmitted through droplets of saliva that come out of the sufferer's mouth (droplets) when coughing, sneezing, or vomiting. Some of the symptoms that often occur are influenzae like illness (ILI) such as sneezing, runny and stuffy nose, watery eyes, sore throat, mild cough, and fever. Other symptoms are that the sufferer experiences a continuous cough for more than two weeks, without a break and ends with a deep breath, and vomiting during or after coughing (Whooping cough). People with whooping cough sometimes experience coughing until the face turns blue and bleeding in the eyes.
Husnul said that one of the causes of pertussis cases was because the DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus) immunization coverage target for infants and toddlers had not been achieved. In 2022, of the total target of 12.467, around 10.350 or around 83,02 percent of DPT-HB-HIB 3 coverage for infants in Malang City was still achieved.
"In 2023, we will provide counseling at 200 integrated health posts (posyandu) about the importance of immunization. We raise the theme of Diseases that Can Be Prevented by Immunization or PD3I in the hope of increasing parental awareness to diligently invite their children to be immunized," said Husnul.
This DPT immunization can be obtained at integrated health posts and community health centers for free. Clean and healthy living behavior (PHBS) must also be carried out to minimize transmission. In addition, it is also important to provide prophylaxis (antibiotics) to close contacts of pertussis sufferers. (ari/yon)
