ILOILO CITY, March 27 -- The provincial government here does not see indications to declare a provincewide pertussis outbreak but is looking at intensifying immunization efforts to help address the increasing cases in Iloilo.

"As of yet, there is no indication of a provincewide outbreak because what we have are isolated cases in barangays. Let us find out next week or the following weeks thereafter if our scenario will change," Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) chief Dr. Maria Socorro Quinon said in a statement on Wednesday.

From Jan. 1 to March 16, the province has recorded 16 cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, with three deaths.

Nine are confirmed cases, including the two deaths from Barangays Bolilao in Duman...