KUANTAN: The situation in Rompin is under control following reports of a pertussis or whooping cough case involving a mother and her two children at Kampung Bahagia in Kuala Rompin on Aug 13.
Pahang Health Department director Datuk Dr Nor Azimi Yunus has dismissed social media and viral postings claiming that Rompin was not safe to visit following the outbreak.
"The case involving a mother and her two children in Kampung Bahagia is under control and there has been no new cases reported after examinations were conducted on the patients' close contacts.
"Do not trust viral statements claiming that Rompin is not safe to visit, and that pertussis is worse than Covid-19. The health department is monitoring Kampung Bahagia and other neighbouring villages but to date, there have been no new cases.
"The state health department appeals to netizens not to spread unauthorised news, and refrain from spreading rumours regarding pertussis as this will only make the people worried. Please filter and get confirmation from the authorities or experts on the matter," she told reporters during a press conference at the state health department building here today.
Yesterday, a social media posting urging the public not to go or meet people in Pekan, and Rompin following reports on pertussis outbreak, went viral.
The posting claimed that the outbreak was worse than Covid-19 and urged everyone to wear a mask to avoid being infected.
Meanwhile, Dr Nor Azimi said the health authorities have screened 37 of the patients' close contacts involving their parents, relatives, neighbours and working colleagues.
"All of them have been administered with the Prophylaxis antibiotic. They were not tested positive but we have taken early measures....even if someone is infected, they will not spread it to others.
"If there are no new cases reported after 14 days from the last reported case, we expect the outbreak to end on Aug 29," he said.
Yesterday, Nor Azimi said the three patients have been given treatment and are in stable condition. She said whooping cough, or batuk kokol, is commonly spread by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria.
