CEBU CITY, Philippines—The Department of Health (DOH) announced Monday, February 17, 2020, that they included Central Visayas in their initiatives to roll out strengthened acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance, and vaccination drives to prevent the spread of polio.
In a press conference, DOH Assistant Secretary, Dr. Maria Vergeire, said there is already a possibility of getting infected with poliovirus for those who are within proximity of the Butuanon river, which tested positive for poliovirus.
READ: Butuanon River in Mandaue tested positive for poliovirus – DOH
“Oh well, since andoon naman siya sa daluyan nang tubig, andoon yung posibilidad,” said Vergeire. “We’re not saying na agad-agad but the possibility (and) the risk is there,” she added.
(Since it is there where water flows, there is a possibility. We’re not saying it is immediate but the possibility and the risk is there.)
Butuanon River, the largest river in Mandaue City, as well as Mahiga and Tipolo Creeks, are declared as off limits to the public by the Mandaue City Government as precautionary measures to stop the spread of polio.
READ: Tipolo, Butuanon, and Mahiga Rivers off-limits to public
Polio, a highly contagious disease, is caused by poliovirus. Transmission of the disease is made through the fecal-oral route or through contaminated vehicles such as food and water.
The disease invades the nervous system, and, in worse cases, can lead to paralysis.
Read: Residents in riverside communities in Mandaue City worried over polio-contaminated Butuanon River
DOH has advised parents to vaccinate their children while they’re in their tender ages. This is because children below 5 years old are at risk of contracting the disease. /bmjo