DOH Deploys Teams to Contain Measles Outbreak in E. Visayas

The Department of Health (DOH) in Eastern Visayas reported on Monday that it has already deployed health teams in some areas to help control the spread of measles as the number of cases is expected to rise in the next few weeks.

DOH Regional Director Minerva Molon said the disease has already killed 11 children and downed 268 others as of February 9.

Molon said the outbreak in the region has prompted the main office to include Leyte and Samar provinces among the top 10 areas in the country with high measles cases.

About 107 new cases were added from Feb. 1 to Feb. 11 alone, indicating a rapid spread of the virus.

Most cases were recorded by health workers in Leyte province specifically in Tacloban City (64 cases), Palo (20 cases), Burauen (19 cases), and Dagami town (14 cases).

Deaths have been reported in Tacloban, Palo, Dagami, San Miguel, and Pastrana in Leyte province and Gandara in Samar province. The latest victim was a six-month-old baby from San Miguel town who died last Saturday.

“Among measles cases, more than half or 143 or 53 percent of victims were not vaccinated and 67 cases or 25 percent have unknown vaccination status,” Molon told reporters.

Last year’s immunization coverage in Eastern Visayas dropped to 55 percent from 85 percent a few years back as many mothers lost confidence in the government’s immunization program due to Dengvaxia controversy.

Elaine Joy Villarosa, DOH immunization program manager for Eastern Visayas, said the regional office has enough stocks of vaccines to cover the targeted 95 percent of children’s population in the region.

“We urge mothers to come to health centers and avail the free vaccines for their children. We have been coordinating with local government units as we intensify our immunization program,” Villarosa said.

Vaccination starts at nine months, but some of the victims are younger than nine months. These children got the disease from adults and older children, whose parents missed the scheduled immunization activity.

Measles immunization provided by the government for free saves children’s lives as it prevents children from becoming seriously ill.

Measles remains one of the top causes of death among young children globally, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, according to the World Health Organization.

The disease is transmitted via droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons. Initial symptoms, which usually appear 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, rashes will develop, starting on the face and upper neck and gradually spreading downwards. (PNA)