THE Provincial Government of Pampanga declared a province-wide state of calamity due to the continuous increase in number of reported cases of measles among children.
This was confirmed by Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Dr. Marcelo Jaochico to SunStar Pampanga, saying that the provincial board passed a resolution declaring state of calamity in response to the growing measles cases in the province.
Jaochico said that as of 8th morbidity week (March 11), the provincial government has recorded 826 cases and 24 measles-related deaths all over the province.
“The 826 reported cases were derived from children that were admitted in hospitals and have shown signs and symptoms of measles such as fever, cough and colds, Jaochico explained.
The City of San Fernando reported the highest number of measles cases with 140, while cities of Mabalacat and Angeles reported 92 cases and 70 cases, the second and third highest in the province, respectively.
The municipalities of Lubao had 62 cases, Guagua 61 cases, Floridablanca 58 cases, Magalang 53 cases, and Porac 52 cases.
Jaochico reminded the parents to have their children vaccinated immediately to avoid being inflicted with measles and other types of diseases.
“The best precautionary measure we can have is to bring the children to the nearest health centers and have them vaccinated against all types of diseases, not only measles. The government gives it for free so we hope we urged the public to avail it and secure their children,” he said.