Number of cases in NegOcc up; parents urged to immunize children vs measles

(SunStar file)
(SunStar file)

DUE to a spike in the number of cases, four regions in the country have been declared as among those areas with the measles outbreak.

The Department of Health (DOH) announced on Thursday, February 7, that it has expanded the measles outbreak declaration to Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas.

The DOH declared Wednesday, February 6, a measles outbreak in Metro Manila.

In Negros Occidental, Provincial Health Officer Ernell Tumimbang on Thursday confirmed a significant increase of measles cases in the province in 2018 compared to 2017.

From the three reported cases in 2017, 103 cases were reported last year or an increase of 2,333 percent, Tumimbang said.

Most of the cases were noted in Calatrava, Murcia, Sagay City, Himamaylan City, and San Carlos City.

The situation in Negros, Tumimbang said, is manageable, adding it has not reached to the level of an outbreak yet.

There is a certain process in declaring an outbreak, he said. “It has to be reported to the regional office of the Department of Health and that guidelines have to be followed.”

At this time, supplemental immunization activity is being conducted throughout the province, Tumimbang said.

“That means, we go beyond our normal immunization schedule. Instead of waiting in the barangay health station or health center, we look for children who failed to come back for the second dose or those who don't go to the health center after the birth. Those who failed to come back for the succeeding schedules,” he said.

“We also go to schools to conduct immunization and there are also times that teachers bring the children to the health centers,” he added.

Tumimbang said that there are enough vaccines provided by the government.

He also explained that the controversy on Dengvaxia has affected the trust of the people on vaccines.

Tumimbang said that high cases of measles could be attributed to the Dengvaxia scare as some people don't bring their children to the health centers anymore.

Moreover, he said that they also focus on information dissemination “so that people would be aware of the effects of measles especially to children,” as he urged the parents to have their children vaccinated to be safe.

“We are doing everything to address the situation. We have enough supplies of vaccines for immunization. It's a matter of looking for these children to be given with our routine vaccination. Supplemental immunization activity is over and above our normal schedule and we also conduct a house to house campaign to educate them to have their children immunized,” Tumimbang said.

He said they aim to reach their 95 percent target of immunization this year.

For her part, Bacolod City Health Officer Ma. Carmela Gensoli also reiterated her appeal to parents to have their children vaccinated for protection against measles, locally known as “tigdas.”

“We are pleading to all mothers to please have their kids vaccinated because it is safe and given for free,” Gensoli said.

“Dengvaxia is a different type of vaccine so we should not compare it to other vaccines,” she added.

From January to February 7, Bacolod has a total of 41 suspected measles cases, City Health Office (CHO) records showed.

Of the 61 barangays, 19 barangays were recorded with suspected measles cases.

In 2018, Bacolod has a total of 75 confirmed measles cases and 263 suspected measles cases.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease and is transmitted from person-to-person by sneezing, coughing, and close personal contact.

Symptoms of measles include dry cough, runny nose, sore throat, inflamed eyes, and tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red background found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek.

“We can maintain a zero case of measles if we maintain high coverage of the immunization. Please bring your children to the nearest health centers and have them vaccinated with measles to avoid acquiring such disease,” Gensoli said.

Dr. Rosalie Deocampo, medical coordinator of National Immunization Program in Bacolod, earlier said the city is not affected by the Dengvaxia issue.

“For a long time, the vaccines that are being used in a routine immunization has been used for several decades and it is proven that it controlled the increase, spread, and even death outcome of the vaccines preventable diseases,” Deocampo said.

The CHO is also conducting a school-based immunization program for those who have not completed the two doses of vaccines containing the measles.

Deocampo said that in order to declare the child fully protected from measles, he or she should avail two doses of vaccines because vaccination is a form of protection against measles.

In November last year, the DOH-Western Visayas declared measles outbreak inside the compound of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Barangay Handumanan, Bacolod City, after 25 inmates have been suffering from fever and rashes inside the facility.

The CHO immediately held a mass immunization among the inmates in BJMP-Handumanan, both male and female inmates, to stop the spread of the virus.

In March last year, Kabankalan City in southern Negros Occidental has also declared a measles outbreak.

The CHO encouraged the public to always wash their hands; if soap and water are not available, clean their hands with hand sanitizer; and cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve, not hands, when coughing or sneezing to prevent illness.

Outbreak

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Thursday that “we are expanding the outbreak from Metro Manila to the other regions as cases have increased in the past weeks.”

Data show that Central Visayas had 71 cases with one death. This is a 3,450 percent increase compared to two cases recorded in 2018.

Calabarzon now had 575 cases with nine deaths. This is 2,538 percent higher compared to 21 cases in 2018.

Central Luzon had 192 cases with four deaths, a 500 percent increase compared to 32 cases in 2018.

Western Visayas recorded 104 cases and three deaths, which is 550 percent higher compared to 16 cases in 2018.

Duque also called for vigilance over the rise in measles cases in Mimaropa (70), Ilocos Region (64), Northern Mindanao (60), Eastern Visayas (54), and Soccsksargen (43).

“These regions should likewise step up their response against this highly communicable disease, as well as ensure that preventive measures play a vital role in preventing the spread of the disease,” said Duque.

On Wednesday, the DOH declared a measles outbreak in Metro Manila after the National Capital Region tallied 441 measles cases with five deaths. This is 1,125 percent higher compared to 36 cases recorded in 2018. (with reports from SunStar Philippines)

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