By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — The vaccines against pertussis procured by the local government of Quezon City have arrived in the city, aimed at preventing the spread of the illness.

These vaccines include antibiotics and the 6-in-1 vaccine, which protects against pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, and Haemophilus influenzae.

The local government also reminds parents to have their children vaccinated against the illness at health centers.

Earlier, Health Secretary Dr. Teodoro Herbosa and Undersecretary Dr. Eric Tayag met with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte to discuss the increase in pertussis cases in the city.

As part of its efforts to prevent the spread of pertussis, the local government conducted contact tracing, active case finding, and health education in the city, led by the Disease Surveillance Officers of the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — The Quezon City local government has declared a Pertussis outbreak as cases continue to rise in the city.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte assured constituents that they are addressing the matter to prevent the further spread of the disease.

“There is no need to panic. We are making this announcement to ensure everyone is prepared and remains vigilant,” Belmonte said.

“Our declaration ensures that we are on top of the situation, and we will do whatever it takes to curb the spread of this disease. We are mobilizing our resources to procure the needed vaccines to keep our children safe until the DOH supply arrives,” she added.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by Bordetella pertussis.

Belmonte has instructed the City Health Department, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and all relevant city departments to enhance information, education, and communication efforts by promoting awareness.

The local government has recorded 23 reported cases in the city, including four Pertussis-related deaths of infants aged from 22 days to 60 days old.

The Department of Health (DOH) also urged the public to get vaccinated as cases of pertussis and measles rise in the country.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has officially declared the bomb threats targeting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Central Office in Quezon City as unfounded.

The scare ensued earlier today, Monday (12 Feb 2024) prompting the office to halt its afternoon operations as a precautionary measure.

Reports indicate that the threat was communicated via email, raising concerns among the office staff.

“After extensive paneling operations and thorough inspections, the QCPD has determined that there is no basis to the threat, with no evidence of any bombs or Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) found on the premises,” stated the QCPD.

Further investigation reveals that the origin of the bomb threat was allegedly traced back to a Japanese national, who had previously been linked to a similar incident at the MRT Kamuning Station in September 2023.

(el Amigo/MNM)

A devastating early morning fire on Sunday (5 November 2023) destroyed at least 20 houses in Quezon City, firefighters said.

The incident occurred in the residential area of Kaingin Bukid, specifically in Brgy. Apolonio Samson. Some of the affected residents sought temporary shelter at a nearby compound.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) responded swiftly, raising the third alarm at approximately 8:30 in the early morning Sunday. Fortunately, by 10:01, the fire was successfully brought under control.

Tragically, the blaze resulted in injuries to several individuals. Among the victims were a 22-year-old firefighter volunteer named Jhon Rey Decano and two female residents: Mary Grace Bermil, 28 years old, and Cristina Pascual, 47 years old.

The Bureau of Fire Protection has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

(Report and photography by Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)