Measles outbreak in M. Padilla controlled: DOH
The Department of Health (DOH) Western Visayas declared that the measles outbreak in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental has been controlled.
In a press statement DOH said that last October 2008, laboratory results from Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Manila confirmed 3 measles cases in Moises Padilla among children ages 16 years old, 9 years old, and 1 year and 6 months old. These cases occurred in barangays Guinpana-an, Montilla and Odiong.
Aside from the three confirmed cases, there were 70 cases that manifested the same symptoms with that of the confirmed cases like fever, non-vesicular rashes, runny nose and cough. DOH noted that those affected were not immunized against measles.
DOH reported that logistic support like vaccine, syringes, advisories and other medicines were immediately provided to Moises Padilla town. A thorough “mopping up” operation to look for unimmunized children was done and vaccination was conducted by the Rural Health Unit personnel to all unimmunized children 9 months old up to 15 years old. Vitamin A capsule was also given to all children from 6 mos to 71 mos. old.
DOH, however, said that although the outbreak was controlled, measles virus is still circulating in the area and the possibility of an outbreak may occur if targeted children are not immunized.
With this, DOH strongly recommended to the different local governments to strengthen routine immunization in hard to reach areas and to intensify their information dissemination regarding the importance of immunization.
Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus which may cause death especially among malnourished children. It is spread through contact with nose and throat secretions and in airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The signs and symptoms are high grade fever, cough and rashes that appear on the forehead, behind the ears and sometimes all over the body.
DOH also strongly advised parents to bring their children below one year old to the nearest health center or hospital in their area to avail of free immunization against TB, measles, diptheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B and poliomyelitis.