DOH sounds alarm on rising measles cases in C. Visayas

CEBU CITY – Cases of measles soared by 556 percent in the first ten months of this year compared to the same operiod last year, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday.

DOH-Central Visayas bared that 295 measles cases and one death were reported from January 1 to October 20 this year, a marled increase from the 45 cases and no deaths in 2017.

DOH’s 2018 figures showed that those who contracted measles were aged 5 days to 60 years old.

Most of those affected were under 21. Majority of the cases were from Dumaguete City with 46, followed by Bacong , Negros Oriental (27), Cebu City (14) and Larena, Siquijor (17).

The figures also showed that the more cases were recorded in densely populated areas.

“This is very alarming! We are seeking public support and cooperation as we go on a supplemental immunization program for the entire region from October to December this year,” DOH regional director Dr. Jaime Bernadas said in a press conference Monday.

Bernadas said the DOH and all public health units in Central Visayas are now embarking on a massive information and immunization campaign in all barangays in the region to immunize over 837,285 children ages 6-59 months.

According to Bernadas, sometime in 2015-2016 the DOH and the local health units in the country, including Central Visayas had a low coverage of the national immunization program due to the shortfall of vaccines and other logistics and the increase of ceiling population targets from 2.4 percent to 2.7 percent in 2016 to 2017 respectively.

The Dengvaxia controversy and misinformation likewise affected the immunization program coverage.

Dr. Bernadas is appealing to the public to cooperate with DOH and all public health personnel during the supplemental immunization from October to December this year because there are still about 39 to 40 percent of children in the region who have yet to vaccinated against measles.