Iloilo City moves to stop spread of measles
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas has urged all parents to immediately bring their children to the nearest health center if measles-like symptoms appear.
This, after Iloilo City registered a total of nine measles cases in the Department of Health’s (DOH) record from January to February 23 this year.
Symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, cough, reddish eyes and rashes.
“We have to ensure that this disease will not spread in our city,” Treñas said.
The city chief executive already made the necessary coordination with the DOH and the City Health Office to implement measures against measles like free vaccination in health centers.
The Health Department recorded a total of 25 cases in Western Visayas from January to February 23 this year, which is 96 percent higher than last year’s during the same months.
In the meantime, the DOH will conduct “outbreak response immunization” or ORI in all villages of this city.
DOH Regional Coordinator for Measles Disease Renilyn Reyes said they will have to coordinate with the city health office, as it is already ongoing in some parts of the region.
“ORI will enable us to give anti-measles vaccine to children aged six months to 15 years old, who have either been previously given such vaccine, or not,” Reyes said.
Those who were immunized in the past and are currently living in “outbreak areas” where measles cases are rampant will have to take a booster dose and vitamin A supplementation. (PNA)