The Ministry of Health (Minsa) confirmed the first case of pertussis in the province; the patient is a 26-year-old man residing in Las Tablas. According to Minsa, the patient began experiencing symptoms on November 14 with a mild respiratory condition; subsequently, it progressed to episodes of intense coughing, accompanied by vomiting and momentary loss of consciousness. After several medical consultations, on December 3, he was evaluated at the Joaquín Pablo Franco Sayas Hospital, where a nasopharyngeal swab test confirmed the diagnosis. As part of control measures, the Dr. Miguel Cárdenas Polyclinic carried out the perifocal block and the corresponding epidemiological investigation. Currently, epidemiological surveillance is maintained, and the results of samples taken from two contacts are awaited. Minsa highlights the importance of keeping vaccination schedules up to date, especially in children under five years of age, as well as the application of the Tdap vaccine in children from seven years of age and in pregnant women during the third trimester, as fundamental measures to prevent this disease.
