by Sarwell Meniano/PNA
Measles cases in Eastern Visayas continue to surge with the outbreak already claiming the lives of 24 children from January 1 to March 8 this year.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Monday that the number of victims rose to 1,080 as of March 8 from 463 three weeks ago.
DOH-Eastern Visayas Assistant Regional Director Exuperia Sabalberino said new victims have been added every day, but the rate of increase has slowed down starting last week, after two months of a massive immunization program.
Of the 24 deaths, six were reported in Tacloban City and four in Palo, Leyte. Areas with two deaths each were Dagami, Leyte; Pinabacdao, Samar; and Calbayog City, Samar.
Areas with one death each were Alangalang, Pastrana, and San Miguel in Leyte; Catbalogan City, San Jose de Buan, and Sta. Rita in Samar. Borongan City in Eastern Samar has one death this year.
Most cases were recorded in Leyte – 385, followed by Samar – 238, Tacloban City – 190, Eastern Samar – 54, Ormoc City – 53, Biliran – 39, Calbayog City – 31, Catbalogan City – 30, Baybay City – 21, Northern Samar – 20, Southern Leyte – 13, Borongan City – four, and Maasin City – one.
Compared to the same period last year, there were only eight cases without a single death. Those who suffered measles are within the age range of 21 days to 80 years old, but 23 out of the 24 deaths are children below four years old.
“We are now 50 percent coverage in our immunization program, but most recipients are children living in town centers and more accessible areas. We deployed volunteers to remote communities to help the local government’s immunization program,” Sabalberino told reporters in a press briefing here.
The official noted that the measles outbreak has changed the health-seeking behaviors of mothers as more of them have been coming to health centers daily to avail free vaccines for their children.
Immunization for measles is given every day in local government units down to village level through house-to-house and fixed site approach. Parents are invited to bring their children to gymnasiums, village health centers, rural health centers, and village halls. The target recipients are children aged six to 59 months, including pre-school and Grades 1 to 6 pupils.
Of the measles victims, more than half were not vaccinated, or have unknown vaccination status.
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 amid the Dengvaxia controversy.
Measles immunization provided by the government for free saves children’s lives as it prevents them from becoming seriously ill.
The highly-contagious viral disease 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.
Rashes develop several days later, starting on the face and upper neck and gradually spreading downwards.
