SAN JOSE, Antique – Health workers in Antique were mobilized to counter the spread of measles in the province.
Eight cases reported from January to March were confirmed to be measles, according to the Provincial Health Office.
The PHO deployed barangay health workers to conduct immunization, especially in areas where there was an outbreak.
The Department of Health Region 6 was issuing health advisories as well, said Veronica Abella, National Immunization Program coordinator.
“As of now, we have an ongoing immunization, following Advisory 04458 wherein we provide measles-rubella vaccination to children aged 6 to 8 months old, and measles, mumps and rubella for children aged 9 months to 1 year old,” she said.
Barangay health workers were tasked to determine if children have been inoculated with the two vaccines.
They were currently scouring the municipalities of San Jose (capital), Tibiao, Culasi, and Sebaste. The children will be given one of the two doses if they missed.
Eighteen suspected measles cases were reported in Antique from January to March, PHO disease surveillance officer Jessa Pauline Sison said.
Eight cases were confirmed while two turned out negative. The statuses of the other cases were still being determined as of this writing.
People in close contact with the measles patients, including family members and neighbors, were being immunized as well.
Moreover, health workers were tracing the whereabouts of the patients prior to showing signs and symptoms. (With Carlson B. Alelis, PIA Antique/PN)
