(Department of Health Regional Director Cesar Cassion assures the public of the non-emergence of polio virus in Central Luzon. – PIA 3)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, — ThDepartment of Health (DOH) assures the public of non-emergence of polio virus in Central Luzon.
“There are no confirmed cases of polio as of this date,” DOH Regional Director Cesar C. Cassion said.
“We continue to conduct our surveillance not only in people, but also in the environment,” he added.
DOH monitors waters in the region through regular environmental surveillance sincepolio virus was detected in samples taken from sewage in Manila and waterways in Davao.
For his part, DOH Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Chief Jessie Fantone said the region is negative with polio virus, based on water specimens they obtained from the cities of Angeles and San Fernando.
DOH is conducting more intense surveillance to interrupt the transmission of the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus, thus synchronized polio vaccination in priority areas like National Capital Region, CALABARZON, Lanao, and Davao.
It strongly urges parents, guardians, and caregivers to have their children vaccinated with Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age; and Inactivated Polio Vaccine at 14 weeks of age.
Children under 5 years of age who have not yet complete the 3 doses of OPV should be brought to the nearest health centers to complete their vaccination. – PIA 3
