THE members of the Sangguniang Panglunsod has approved a resolution requesting Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez through the City Health Office (CHO) to launch intensified campaign and measures to prevent outbreak of measles in Bacolod.

The resolution was authored by Councilor Claudio Puentevella, chairperson of the City Council committee on health.

Puentevella said last October 1, the Department of Health (DOH) through the DOH Epidemiology Bureau announced that all Regions in the Philippines are at “High Risk” for measles outbreak due to low vaccine coverage and detection of measles.

He said measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus.

It is transmitted from person-to-person by sneezing, coughing, and close personal contact. Its signs and symptoms include cough, runny nose, red eyes/conjunctivitis, fever, skin rashes lasting for more than three days, Puentevella said.

“ There is a need to launch programs and measures to prevent the spread of measles in Bacolod City and to educate people in its prevention and treatment,” the councilor added.

Puentevella noted that the Philippines has seen a 154 percent increase in measles cases in 2022. Health officials have reported 373 cases through September 10, up compared to the 147 cases reported in the same period in 2021.

Puentevella disclosed that the CHO is the local government agency tasked with the promotion and implementation of various programs and services relevant to health.