THE Baguio City Health Office (BCHO) is tightly monitoring the possible re-emergence of polio in the Summer Capital, which has not recorded any cases s
for the past nine years.
Dr. Rowena Galpo of the BCHO said the city is intensifying its anti-polio vaccination drive for children one year old and below.
Galpo added that aside from polio, other diseases for children such as measles are also closely monitored. She called on parents to complete the vaccination of their children.
The city health official said a child is declared fully vaccinated when he or she have completed the three oral and polio vaccine, depteria, tetanous, pertussis, and the protection of a child against tuberculosis.
Polio, short for poliomyelitis, or infantile paralysis, is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. In about 0.5 percent of cases, there is muscle weakness resulting in an inability to move. This can occur over a few hours to a few days.
Tetanus, meanwhile is a serious illness caused by Clostridium bacteria. The bacteria live in soil, saliva, dust, and manure. The bacteria can enter the body through a deep cut, like those you might get from stepping on a nail, or through a burn. The infection causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body.
Diphtheria, on the other hand, is an infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Diphtheria causes a thick covering in the back of the throat. It can lead to difficulty breathing, heart failure, paralysis, and even death. CDC recommends vaccines for infants, children, teens and adults to prevent diphtheria.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe.