The Davao Region has achieved a significant public health milestone, recording zero confirmed cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, throughout the entire year of 2025. This marks a dramatic and positive reversal from the 52 confirmed infections reported in the region during the previous year.
A Dramatic Drop in Infections
Dr. Janis Olavides, a medical officer at the Department of Health–Davao Region (DOH-Davao), shared the encouraging data during the ISpeak Media Forum held on Thursday, January 16, 2026, at the Davao City Mayor's Office. While 21 suspected cases were monitored last year, none were laboratory-confirmed as pertussis.
"This is genuinely good news for everyone," Dr. Olavides stated, speaking in a mix of English and Cebuano. "However, we continue to provide protection against pertussis through the pentavalent vaccine." She emphasized the critical role of immunization in sustaining this success and called on all parents and guardians to ensure their children receive the complete schedule of the pentavalent vaccine.
The situation in 2024 presented a stark contrast. From January to April alone, the region confirmed 52 pertussis cases. This total included:
- 20 cases in children aged 10 and below.
- Four unfortunate fatalities.
The cases in 2024 were geographically distributed as follows:
- Davao del Norte: 20 cases
- Davao City: 13 cases
- Davao de Oro: 12 cases
- Davao Oriental: 5 cases
- Davao del Sur: 2 cases
Vaccine Supply Recovery and Continued Vigilance
Dr. Olavides provided an update on the vaccine supply, which faced a severe global shortage in 2024, disrupting local immunization programs. She reported that the Davao Region received pentavalent vaccine supplies in batches throughout 2025.
Additional shipments are anticipated in the first quarter of 2026, which will include vaccines for pertussis and other preventable diseases. The resumption of deliveries in September 2024 allowed health offices to catch up on immunizing children who had missed their doses during the period of shortage.
The pentavalent vaccine is a crucial tool, protecting children against five serious diseases: diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and hepatitis B.
Understanding the Threat of Pertussis
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the Bordetella pertussis or Bordetella parapertussis bacteria. It spreads easily through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The Department of Health advises the public to seek proper medical consultation and avoid self-medication if symptoms appear. The groups most vulnerable to severe complications include:
- Young children and infants
- Older adults
- Pregnant women
- Individuals with weakened immune systems
- Those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated
The achievement of zero cases in Davao underscores the effectiveness of vaccines when supply is stable and community uptake is high. Health authorities remain focused on maintaining high immunization coverage to prevent a resurgence of this dangerous but vaccine-preventable disease.
