Measles spread in Cebu jail now under control

Cases of measles in Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) is already under control according to the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU-7).

RESU 7 Chief Reynan Cimafranca said that for the past two days, the number of reported cases remains at 60.

“We only have less than 20 inmates who have been isolated since others are already cured from the measles,” Cimafranca said.

Among the 60 inmates that suffered from measles, only one is female.

Although it is already controlled, the Department of Health (DOH-7) said family members of those who have measles are still not allowed to  visit.

This is to protect them from the contagious disease.

Cimafranca said that so far, jail guards and other personnel have not showed signs of being infected.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus which normally grows in the cells that line the back of the throat and lungs.

The mode of transmission from person to person are sneezing, coughing and close personal contact.

Signs and symptoms are cough, runny nose , red eyes, fever and rashes. Complications can be diarrhea, otitis media (middle ear infection), pneumonia, encephalitis, malnutrition and blindness.

Treatments will be nutritional support and oral re-hydration to increase body resistance and  antibiotics as prescribed by doctors.

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