By Edwin Fernandez/PNA
COTABATO CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) on Monday reported that another child died of suspected measles in the region over the weekend, bringing the death toll to two since January this year.
Jenny Ventura Panizales, DOH-12 focal person on measles eradication, said a nine-month-old child died of suspected measles in Glan, Sarangani on Saturday.
She said the Glan case is still being validated while the death of a four-month-old baby boy in Polomolok, South Cotabato last month was validated and confirmed to be due to measles.
She said from January 1 to February 23, the Soccsksargen region has listed 321 suspected measles cases.
The region’s health facilities also listed 74 measles cases from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Panizales has appealed to the public, especially mothers of children from nine to 59 months old, to bring their children to the nearest health stations for measles vaccination.
She also said that DOH, in partnership with the local government units, will embark on a massive vaccination drive starting this week.
