ILOILO CITY -- The Department of Health 6 (Western Visayas) on
Thursday confirmed eight cases of measles in the region.
Dr. Mary Jane Roches G. Juanico, DOH-6 Child Health Team Leader, said
that the number is part of the 32 reported cases in the region from January to
February this year.
Of the eight confirmed cases, the province of Antique has the highest
with four cases, of which two are in San Jose town and one in each town of
Culasi and Tibiao; three in Iloilo province, one case each in the towns of
Guimbal, Miag-ao and Lambunao; and one case from Cauayan, Negros Occidental.
Juanico said that they are still waiting for the laboratory results of
the 23 remaining suspected cases. One suspected case was already confirmed
negative.
Juanico said that the provincial government of Antique already declared
a measles outbreak last week.
J
uanico said they are still waiting for the guidelines from the DOH
central office when they could declare an outbreak in an area, although she
clarified that they cannot declare a measles outbreak in the whole region.
“So far, the cases are isolated, one per municipality. We are trying to
review now if we already need to declare an outbreak,” she added.
“It is either per municipality or per province. It will depend on the
extent of number of cases in the area.” she added.
Among the signs of measles is high fever, runny nose, cough, red and
watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks, Juanico said.
“The rash will erupt after several days particularly on the face and
upper neck and may spread to the hands and feet,” she said.
Meanwhile, she said that the municipal health workers are now
intensifying their efforts to look for individuals experiencing fever and
rashes so it could be reported immediately.
She added that they are starting to conduct a catch-up immunization for
children to respond to the health concern. (PNA)
