By Connie Calipay/PNA
LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) 5 (Bicol) is urging local government units (LGUs) to push for mandatory immunization as counter-measure to the increasing measles cases here and prevent a possible outbreak and re-emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Dr. Rita Mae Ang-Bon, DOH-Family Health Cluster head, said the LGUs can take advantage of the situation to pass ordinances in their respective localities.
“As part of our strategy in helping the LGUs, we help draft local ordinances that can be the basis of our local chief executive in mandating immunization in their own localities,” Ang-Bon said.
She said based on their monitoring, some LGUs are in the level of consultation and coordination to fast-track these ordinances.
Based on the records of DOH-5, from January 1 to February 10, there were 96 cases of measles in the region: Sorsogon, 28; Masbate, 28; Camarines Sur, 19; Albay, 14; and Camarines Norte, 7. Catanduanes has no record of measles case.
Ang-Bon also urged parents to review their children’s immunization record and to bring them to the nearest health centers if they missed any vaccination.
“There is no known cure for measles. Our best defense here is immunization” she said.
Ang-Bon said there is a possibility of a spill-over of the outbreak when children carrying the measles virus travel from Manila to Bicol.
“The reason why we should be ready and ensure that our children here in Bicol have the necessary protection against measles,” she said.
To contain the spread of measles, the DOH plans to give children routine vaccination and hold mass immunization campaigns, such as the “Ligtas Tigdas Supplemental Immunization” and catch up/mop up immunization activity.
DOH-5 Director Dr. Ernie Vera, meanwhile, called on parents to make their children’s health their utmost priority, and not to wait for the complications before taking action.
“The measles vaccines that we are using have been around since 2010 and there have been no reported deaths from the vaccines ever since. We urge the parents to trust the DOH because we review our medicines thoroughly to ensure that they are safe,” Vera said.
He said the public must not believe in baseless reports at the expense of the children’s health.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It is transferred from person-to-person by sneezing, coughing and close personal contact.
Its complications included diarrhea, middle ear infection, blindness, pneumonia, malnutrition, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death.
