BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO City – Suspected measles cases have been reported in 31 towns and the component city of Passi, according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
Concerned local government units have already submitted blood samples of suspected cases for examination, said Dr. Ma. Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon of the PHO.
As of Aug. 9, out of 520 blood samples sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Metro Manila, 82 turned out positive.
The positive samples were from Passi City and the towns of Pavia, Barotac Viejo, Oton, Sara, Carles, Guimbal, Banate, Dingle, Miag-ao, San Dionisio, Ajuy, Batad, Bingawan, Calinog, Concepcion, Estancia, Mina, Janiuay, Lambunao, Pototan, Tigbauan, Alimodian, Balasan, Barotac Nuevo, San Enrique, Cabatuan, Dueñas, Leganes, San Miguel, Leon, and Tubungan.
Areas with the most number of positive measles cases were Passi City and Pavia (seven cases each) followed by Barotac Viejo (six), and Oton and Sara (five each).
Some 220,487 children in Iloilo from zero to 59 months are targets of a mass vaccination for measles, polio and rubella this September.
The immunization starts on September 1, said Colmenares-Quiñon.
Fixed sites will be established in each town where parents could bring their children for vaccination.
After the vaccination, health workers will map up the records to check if all the target kids in their respective areas were vaccinated./PN
