Region 7 is polio-free so far

Not a single polio case was reported in Central Visayas, the Department of Health-Region 7 (DoH-7) declared on Sunday.

DoH-7 Director Dr. Jaime Bernadas said that while they have monitored suspected cases, there were no laboratory confirmation that polio re-emerged in Central Visayas.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III last week declared polio outbreak after two confirmed cases of polio — one each in Laguna and Lanao del Sur provinces.

An intensified information campaign for free polio vaccinations will be made soon to educate the public.

The re-emergence of polio came 19 years after the country was declared polio free.

“For now, there are no confirmed polio case here in the region,” Bernadas told the Daily Tribune.

“Based on our surveillance of 20 acute flaccid paralysis cases, of which polio is one of them, this year since January. So far, none has been laboratory confirmed polio,” he added.

Bernadas added that DoH in Central Visayas is vigilant on the possible re-emergence of polio cases.

He added that an intensified information campaign for free polio vaccinations will be made soon to educate the public.