KABANKALAN City in Negros Occidental declared on March 19 a measles outbreak.

Mayor Isidro Zayco said the declaration was based on the guidelines of the Department of Health.

He said massive vaccination was implemented in the city, adding they started in Barangay Camugao where three positive cases of measles were reported.

The barangay is located at the boundary of Negros Oriental where an outbreak was already declared.

Although the outbreak has been declared, the situation is not alarming as the Rural Health Unit has been doing the vaccination to contain the virus, Zayco said.

Provincial Health Officer Ernell Tumimbang said the declaration of a measles outbreak is to make sure there will be no additional cases that will happen in the province.

"We need to do the catch-up immunization," he said.

"In order to stop the spread of the virus throughout the province, we encourage mothers to bring their children to the health centers," Tumimbang said.

To erase the fear of some parents to avail of the anti-measles program of the government, about 20 members of the local media in Bacolod City on March 19 received an immunization vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella at the Government Center.

The immunization was conducted by Dr. Grace Tan, head of the City Health office Environment Sanitation Division.

Tan said the vaccine was usually given to children who are one to two years old, but they can also give it to adults.

"We are all high-risk as being a carrier of this illnesses. The measles, mumps and rubella diseases can be prevented through immunization," Tan said.

Due to fear over Dengvaxia, some parents earlier refused to avail themselves of the anti-measles program of the government. (With reports from Merlinda A. Pedrosa)