Measles cases in WV jumps to 170

THE Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD)-6 detected 170 cases of measles in the region as of December 6, 2018.

The number is up by 40 cases from 130 a month ago, according to the health department.

Dr. Mary Jane R. Juanico, DOH-6 Child Health Program Medical Coordinator, also said that they monitored three possible measles-related deaths in the region.

“We received three cases of death but still under investigation and ga-wait pa kami result if these are really measles,” Juanico said.

Despite the alarming increase, Juanico assured that DOH is combating the spike in cases through its supplemental immunization activity for measles rubella and oral polio vaccine (MR-OPV).

Juanico said they have reached 43% of the total MR-OPV immunization target for Western Visayas.

“43% sa total target for WV among 25 implementing LGUs including Iloilo City and Bacolod ang aton natapos. Ang campaign naton ended on Nov. 23 but we are still doing map up catch up sa mga na miss nga mga kabataan up until Dec. 14,” Juanico said.

In a recently program implementation review, Juanico said the low immunization coverage can be attributed to the refusal of the parents to submit their children to MR-OPV immunization following the Dengvaxia or dengue vaccine issue.

“We had a challenge in terms of social mobilization and advocacy campaigning kay  tani taas ang turnout sang aton activity but nubo mainly because of the refusal of our parents and caregivers due man gihapon sa Dengvaxia scare,” she said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), measles cases in the country multiplied fivefold to 17,300 in the last 11 months of 2018.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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