DOH reports 3rd polio case in PH, its in Maguindanao
HEALTH • 21:00 PM Mon Oct 28, 2019
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By:
Raymond Carl Dela Cruz/PNA
Photo courtesy of DOH Manila
MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reported the third confirmed polio case in the country.
In a statement, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said the third polio victim was a four-year-old female from Datu Piang in Maguindanao, who did not receive a single dose of the oral polio vaccine (OPV).
Initially reported as a case of acute flaccid paralysis after a consultation at the Cotabato Regional Medical Center on Sept. 26, Duque said the girl manifested fever, diarrhea, vomiting and muscle pain.
On Thursday (Oct. 24), a stool sample sent to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases – Japan tested positive for vaccine-derived poliovirus 2 (VDPV2).
The DOH added that “the poliovirus isolated was genetically linked to the VDPV2 from the confirmed Polio case in Morogong, Lanao del Sur.”
Another suspected polio case was also reported by the DOH and said samples have been sent for testing and are awaiting results.
In response to the confirmed case of the infectious disease, the DOH said they will conduct a vaccination drive in Datu Piang, Maguindanao on November 4 to 8.
Through the program, the DOH aims to vaccinate 4,254 children aged 0 to 59 months.
Moreover, Duque gave his assurance that the DOH’s stock of OPV is sufficient, with preparations well underway.
Aside from the vaccination drive, the DOH, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Children’s Fund will meet with local officials of Datu Piang starting Monday to Tuesday to discuss their response to the outbreak.
Duque also enjoined parents and guardians to be proactive in protecting their children’s health through vaccinations.
“I enjoin all parents and guardians, to ensure that all of your children are protected from all vaccine-preventable diseases,” Duque said. (PNA)