By Connie Calipay and Mar Serrano/PNA
LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Health (DOH) regional office here remains confident of achieving the 285,827 target individuals for vaccination as part of its measures to combat measles in Bicol.
Dr. Ernie Vera, DOH regional director, said they are hopeful that the number of measles cases in the region will go down after achieving 85 percent of the 95 percent target required by their central office.
“We already accomplished 232,501 which is almost 85 percent, and hopeful for the upcoming month. We are expecting the numbers to go down,” he said in an interview earlier this week.
Vera acknowledged the efforts of the media in helping inform the public about the importance of vaccination.
Based on DOH records, as of March 30 this year, 831 children were reported ill with measles and nine have died of the disease.
Albay still holds the highest number of cases at 276, followed by Camarines Sur, 227; Sorsogon, 150; Masbate, 119; Camarines Norte, 46; and Catanduanes, 12. One case is still undetermined as to its area.
The symptoms of measles include coughs, colds, red eyes, fever, and skin rashes.
Meanwhile, the DOH has declared dengue “hotspots” the two villages in Naga City, Camarines Sur and a village in Gigmoto town in Catanduanes.
The DOH noted that dengue cases continue to rise with 1,070 recorded cases this year. Of this number, nine people have died from January to Mar. 30, 2019.
Camarines Sur has the highest number of cases with 583, followed by Sorsogon, 154; Albay, 142; Camarines Norte, 89; Masbate, 73; Catanduanes, 28; and an undetermined area, 1.
On the reported deaths, Camarines Sur had 3; Sorsogon, 3; and one each in Albay, Camarines Norte and Masbate.
To control and prevent the spread of the mosquito-borne disease, the DOH reiterated its call to the people to practice the “4S” strategy—to search and destroy mosquito breeding places, self-protection measures, seek early consultation for fever, and say yes to fogging as a last resort when there is an impending outbreak.
“Cleanliness is still the key to fighting dengue,” Vera said.
