KALIBO, Aklan – Low immunization coverage here has resulted in the increasing prevalence of the highly contagious measles, the Provincial Health Office (PHO-Aklan) said.
PHO-Aklan reported 22 suspected cases of measles for the period Jan. 1 to Feb. 14 compared to five cases last year.
Based on the records of PHO-Aklan, there were 50 cases of measles last year. Aklan also failed to achieve the 95 percent immunization rate.
Blood samples from the suspected cases were sent to Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for confirmatory tests, according to Dr. Cornelio Cuachon, Jr.
“They are not vaccinated, while others don’t know if they are vaccinated,” he added.
Among the 22 cases, the agency documented 14 cases from Feb. 3 to 9 and five cases from Feb. 10 to 14 this year.
Of the figure, the town of Malay has the highest number with 7, Kalibo with 5, Ibajay and Balete with 3 each, Libacao with two, and Ibajay and Nabas with one case each.
Cuachon has reminded the parents to bring their children in health centers for the enhanced catch-up immunization to contain the spread of measles.
Earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) declared measles outbreak in National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Central Visayas and Western Visayas.
To address the measles outbreak, DOH and other government agencies will be launching the mass immunization program to vaccinate 12 million people by March.
Last year, the National Measles Supplemental Immunization Activity was conducted for infants and children aged 6-59 months.
Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a virus transferred from person-to-person by sneezing, coughing, and close personal contact. Its signs and symptoms include cough, runny nose, red eyes/conjunctivitis, fever, skin rashes lasting for more than 3 days. (Akean Forum/PN)
