Ruff Vincent Valdevieso (2nd from left), coordinator of the Expanded Immunization Program of DOH-7 and Dr. Shelbay Blanco (3rd from left), HEMS coordinator, give updates on their measles monitoring during the AGIO-media forum held this morning at the Narra Conference room of DOH-7. / Futch Anthony Inso
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) has declared “code white” in the region to make sure that medical personnel are ready to respond to any emergencies that may result from the increased number of measles cases.
Dr. Shelbay Blanco, coordinator of DOH7’s Health Emergency Management System (HEMS), said that they also ordered the establishment of a special vaccination post in barangay health centers and public hospitals to make measles vaccines readily available to the public.
Last week, Health Secretary Francisco Doque declared measles outbreak in 9 regions in the country including Central Visayas.
Blanco said during the AGIO-7 media forum this morning, February 12, that they recorded a total of 145 measles cases with 2 deaths in the region from January 1 to February 11, 2019.
This year’s data was 2,317 percent more than the six cases reported during the same period last year.
Ruff Vincent Valdevieso, coordinator of the Expanded Immunization Program of DOH-7, urge parents to have their children vaccinated at the nearest health centers to avoid measles infection that may lead to possible death.
Valdevieso said they targeted the measles vaccination of 800,000 babies aged six months to 59 months last year but only managed to administer the vaccine on 300,000 recipients which is way below their supposed target. /dcb