CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Department of Health (DOH) regional office has sounded the alarm on the rising number of measles cases in the region.
During a press conference at the Otel Hotel in this capital city on Monday, the DOH has noted the growing number of measles cases (tigdas) which rose to 500 percent due to the refusal of parents to have their children vaccinated, apparently stemming from the Dengvaxia controversy.
The DOH assured parents that said children can be immune from measles with proper vaccination.
As compared to 2017, the cases of measles increased to more than 500 percent for this year, particularly from January to April and September to October, the DOH said.
According to data gathered by the regional health department, the top three affected provinces in Central Luzon are Pampanga, Bulacan and Tarlac.
For Pampanga, the DOH noted that measles cases increase from only three cases to an alarming 124 cases.
The DOH said aside from not being vaccinated, also among the possible reasons for this upsurge is that the vaccine is not 100 percent effective, and the increase in population. It is also difficult to reach out to remote villages which have no health centers in their areas.
The DOH said measles is a virus and airborne disease with symptoms of fever, rashes, cough, colds and conjunctivitis (sore eyes).
The health department said measles lowers the immune system and can be fatal especially to children.
To avoid being afflicted, the need for early detection and consultation should be made as well as vaccination and increase intake of in Vitamin A.
To address the rising cases, DOH Region 3 launched the “Ligtas Tigdas Plus” which gives free vaccination to key areas in the region.
The DOH said the program is meant to interrupt measles thru vaccination.
Also starting November 19, barangay health workers will go house to house to look for affected persons and have them vaccinated.
