South, North Cotabato reported 19 measles cases
HEALTH • 17:15 PM Sat Feb 9, 2019
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KIDAPAWAN CITY – Nineteen cases of measles were reported by health authorities in
North and South Cotabato since January.
In North
Cotabato, Dr. Eva Rabaya, provincial health chief, said all the 13 patients are
now safe and recovering although they remained in government hospitals, some in
private facilities.
Rabaya
admitted many children, nine year’s old and above, have not been given vaccines
after parents refused to bring their children to health facilities due the Dengvaxia
scare last year.
She urged the
parents of children nine month old and above to bring them to the nearest
health station as soon as possible to prevent getting the virus from other
patients in the community.
The IPHO-North
Cotabato will soon start house to house drive to ensure all the children are
immunized against the measles virus.
In South
Cotabato, all the six cases were reported in Polomolok town.
The youngest
patient was nine-month old and the eldest was 24-year-old. Their condition has been improving, health
officials said.
Dr. Vencer
Graciano of Polomolok health office has appealed to parents of children nine
months old up to bring them to village health stations for the needed immunization.
No reported
measles cases in South Cotabato’s other towns. DOH has declared measles outbreak in the National Capital Region and surrounding provinces. (EOF)