Health officials warn of rising measles cases in Iloilo
The Department of Health (DOH)-Center for Health Development 6 here noted an increase in the measles cases in Western Visayas with Iloilo on the top list registering 33 out of the 41 confirmed measles laboratory results.
Dr. Renilyn P. Reyes, CHD regional coordinator for the Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI), said there is a resurgence of measles cases in the region although there are no recorded deaths. In 2008, there are no recorded measles cases in Iloilo and Panay.
The provinces of Antique, Capiz and Negros Occidental have three cases each of measles and Guimaras has five. Iloilo to include Iloilo City, component city of Passi and 41 municipalities has 33 cases.
Of the 33 confirmed measles cases in Iloilo, Iloilo City has 15 confirmed measles cases and 18 are registered in the 10 municipalities in the province and the component city of Passi.
The Jaro II has four cases while La Paz and Mandurriao districts have three cases each. Jaro I has two confirmed cases. The districts of Arevalo, Molo and City Proper have one case each.
In the CHD-DOH figures, the town of Oton has the most number of measles cases with five; Pavia, three and Banate, two. The municipalities of Pototan, Dueñas, Anilao, Dumangas, Sta. Barbara, Leganes, Sara and Passi City have one measles case each.
Reyes said measles ranks as one of the leading causes of childhood mortality in the world. It is considered as “vaccine preventable disease” and humans are the only natural host of the measles virus.
The disease is not deadly except the complication it brings to the patient. The complications include diarrhea, otitis media, pneumonia, croup and encephalitis. There are no anti-viral drugs for the measles itself. The physicians only treat the complications, said Reyes.
The disease affects as young as six months old to 15-23 months old children. The symptoms may include prodromal fever, conjunctivitis, coryza, cough and koplik spot. The five months old are more susceptible to catch measles, said Reyes.
Reyes explained the measles vaccination may be given as early as six months old. The presence of maternal anti-bodies to six months old and below will neutralize the effect of the vaccine. It is not administered on five months old and below. The vaccine efficacy depends on the child’s age. “Even high immunization coverage will not prevent outbreaks.”
The vaccination should also be repeatedly given at nine months old. Vaccination given on the six months old are considered as “bonus vaccination” and the vaccination on nine months old is considered as “primary vaccination.”
In yesterday’s press conference, Reyes attributed the resurgence of measles cases in Western Visayas in the “accumulation of susceptibles.” The poor vaccination coverage and individual body differences contribute to the recurrence of the disease.
From 2005 until 2007, there are no confirmed measles cases in Western Visayas. In 2007, the government launched mass immunization program to prevent its resurgence. The Knock-out Tigdas was purposely designed to anticipate the resurgence of the disease, said Reyes.
With the increasing measles cases in the region, the health department is pushing for the active participation of the local government units in the measles elimination campaign.
The health department strongly recommends strategies that will help in the campaign. One of those actions recommended, is for the barangay health workers to visit the barangays especially in the far-flung areas to introduce the health campaign of the government against measles elimination, said Reyes.
The measles vaccination is given without cost to the recipients in the different health centers. Vitamin A is also provided to compliment the vaccination, said Reyes.