Saturday, July 07, 2007 CHO holds anti-measles immunization in Rio Hondo
CITY Health Officer Dr. Rodel Agbulos on Friday deployed 10 medical teams to Barangay Rio Hondo to immunize children aged nine months to six years old following reports of soaring measles cases in the area the past days.
The activity was purposely to attain herd immunity and to serve children who do not have the means and accessibility to immunization as well as to boost the immune system of the kids to measles virus.
The anti-measles immunization campaign was concentrated in the areas called "Hongkong" and "Lapu-lapu" in the Muslim-dominated barangay of Rio Hondo.
"Roughly 300 children were immunized yesterday," Dr. Agbulos reported.
Since January 1 to June 30 this year, at least 33 cases of measles, also known as rubeola, were registered at the CHO. One case was fatal.
Agbulos said his office is doing everything possible to provide the necessary medical services to barangay folks specifically those who have no access to government health centers or those who could not afford the services of a private doctor.
Measles or rubeola is a disease caused by virus. It is spread through respiration and is highly contagious. Ninety percent of people without immunity sharing a house with an infected person will catch it.
Incubation period usually lasts 4-12 days. Infected people remain contagious from the appearance of the first symptoms until 3-5 days after the rash appears, according to a medical bulletin. (SEC)
