THE Zamboanga City Health Office (CHO) continues to closely monitor measles cases in the city, as the outbreak declaration remains in effect.

Dr. Kibtiya Uddin, assistant city health officer, said the measles outbreak declared last February cannot be lifted yet as cases continue to register.

“The outbreak can only be lifted if a zero case is registered in four weeks or in one month,” Uddin said.

Uddin said that they have recorded 495 cases, six of which were fatal for the third quarter this year.

Parallel to the monitoring activity, according to Uddin, are the advocacy campaigns and the school-based immunization activities.

However, she said accomplishment for school-based immunization particularly vaccinations for measles, rubella, tetanus and diphtheria (MRTD) administered on Grades 1, IV and VII students is only a little over 50 percent as parents are reluctant to give their consent due to the dengvaxia scare. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)