To increase awareness about pertussis or whooping cough, the University Health Service (UHS) initiated a lay forum entitled “Ubo! Ubo! Kailangan na bang itakbo?” on April 19, 2024, via virtual conferencing and streamed live on the UHS Official Facebook page. 

Dr. Ailah S. Jalotjot, internal medicine-infectious disease specialist, served as the resource speaker of the event. In her lecture, Dr. Jalotjot discussed the signs and symptoms of whooping cough, emphasizing the characteristics of the hacking cough exhibited by pertussis, its prevention, and treatment. 

UHS Medical Director Jessie Imelda F. Walde reported on the status of pertussis in Laguna through the Pertussis Tracker. As of April 13, 2024, Laguna has 59 confirmed cases, among which four have already died of the disease. 

Dr. Jalotjot addressed the participants’ questions and clarifications about pertussis that the attendees raised. Dr. Randolph B. Trinidad, UHS chief of clinics, served as moderator. This lay forum is part of the lecture series of the UHS and the webinar can be viewed through this link: https://fb.watch/rBy380HgN1/ (Maria Cristina W. Zafaralla.)