ILOILO – From Jan. 1 this year to May 11, 573 suspected cases of measles, a highly contagious viral disease, have been recorded. The Provincial Health Office (PHO) is thus pressing parents to have their children vaccinated against the illness.
“Avoid the mindset that immunization is bad. Indi na pagdumdomon ang Dengvaxia,” said Dr. Ma. Socorro Colmenares Quiñon of the PHO.
The Department of Health (DOH) declared a measles outbreak in Western Visayas in February.
The outbreak could be due to the low coverage of DOH’s measles immunization program in Region 6. Public support to the program may have dipped due to the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine controversy.
In November 2017 DOH suspended its P3.5-billion anti-dengue immunization drive after pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur announced that its Dengvaxia vaccine could lead to a more severe form of dengue for persons vaccinated but never had the infection before.
Quiñon urged parents to have their children (at least six months old) immunized against measles.
“Ang measles vaccine has been there for decades kag it has been tested and undergone several trials. Indi delikado,” stressed Quiñon.
Of the 573 suspected measles cases reported by 42 towns and the component city of Passi, 43 have so far been confirmed by laboratory tests at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Metro Manila.
The confirmed cases were in Passi City (five), Calinog (four), Bingawan (three), two each from Cabatuan, Janiuay, Dueñas, Dingle, Miag-ao, Barotac Nuevo, Pototan, Oton, and San Enrique, and one each in Maasin, Dumangas, Balasan, Barotac Viejo, Ajuy, Pavia, Santa Barbara, Batad, Leganes, Zarraga, Carles, San Rafael, and Estancia.
The measles virus is transmitted via droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons.
Initial symptoms, which usually appear between 10 to 12 days after infection, include high fever, a runny nose, bloodshot eyes, and tiny white spots on the inside of the mouth.
Several days later, a rash develops, starting on the face and upper neck and gradually spreading downwards.
When children show these symptoms, parents should immediately have them checked by a doctor, said Quiñon.
“Likawan ang mindset nga indi pag-immunize. Indi na pagdumdomon ang Dengvaxia,” said Quiñon.
The measles vaccine has been in use since the 1960s. It is safe, effective and inexpensive, according to the World Health Organization.
It recommends immunization for all susceptible children and adults for whom measles vaccination is not contraindicated./PN
