Thursday, September 19, 2024 /// DYCA PIO
Yap, FSM -- The Department of Health Services (DHS) wishes to inform the general public that there is a laboratory-confirmed Bordetella pertussis case in Guam. Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by bacteria. It can cause severe coughing fits (up to ten weeks or more), followed by a high-pitched "whoops" sound when breathing in. Vomiting and exhaustion may also follow. Pertussis can lead to serious complications, especially in infants such as pneumonia., dehydration, seizures, and brain damage. Some infants may not cough at all. Instead, they may have apnea (life-threatening pauses in breathing) or struggle to breathe.
Yap Public Health Immunization program wants to inform the general public that we have vaccines that prevent this disease. We have pediarix and DTAP for children 2 months to 5 years old and TDAP for 11 years and older.
Yap DHS is highly encouraging the public to ensure that they and their children are up to date with their vaccinations. Vaccination clinics for children is on every Tuesday morning and the whole day on Wednesday for adults. If you want to know if you or your child is updated with your vaccines and or have questions regarding this matter, please feel free to call us at 350-2110/5016/5020.
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