THE Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Incorporated (BFFFI) is set to respond to medical related alerts like measles infection during the two-day grand street and float parade which is expected to draw crowds.
BFFFI co-chairman Anthony De Leon said preparations on possible health related concerns have been put in place even before the onset of the increasing number of measles cases in Baguio City and Benguet Province.
“The medical teams have coordinated with the secretariat and they have considered all aspects in relation to medical response,” De Leon stated.
In its latest report, the Department of Health Cordillera (DOH-CAR) have recorded 65 confirmed cases of measles from January 1 to February 25 of this year.
The 211 cases remain to be suspected measles cases and are awaiting the results coming from the Regional Institute for Tropical Medicine or RITM.
“The response teams are on standby, we have designated portions of the parade route and specific medical response groups have been assigned.
This is also in coordination with the peace and order committee and all sectors like 5hose in charge of health are aware of their responsibilities during the two day parade,” De Leon added.
The health department is intently monitoring this because one case of measles can infect around 20 persons in a crowded area.
Measles is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family and can be passed through direct contact and through the air, and infects the respiratory tract.
Unvaccinated young children are at highest risk of the disease and its complications which include severe diarrhea, pneumonia, blindness, and even death.