The City Health Office (CHO) has revealed that they recorded 24 measles cases from January to present in Zamboanga City.
Corazon V. Pagotaisidro, City Health Office Immunization Program Coordinator during the press conference Wednesday said, these are confirmed cases in the city. Last year, the city had more than 100 cases of measles.
The 24 measles cases recorded are spread all over Zamboanga City, Pagotaisidro claimed.
Dr. Fatima Virginia Alamia said, with the number of confirmed cases at present, the city is still under measles outbreak since last February 9, 2018. İt when the city health together with the Local Government Unit declared the outbreak of measles in the city.
She explained, the outbreak can only be lifted if there will be no measles case for straight 60 days.
Because of these, the city health will be conducting a Measles Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR SIA) scheduled from October 26 to November 25, 2020.
The supplemental vaccination is targeting to vaccinate 81,290 children nine months to below five years old regardless of the immunization status.
This will be done to protect these children from Measles, Rubella and its complications.
Orientation on the 16 health districts in Zamboanga City are still on going while the vaccines are already prepared.
In times of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination will done by purok. These must also have proper ventilation, frequently disinfected and with the proper physical distancing.
Assessment on the children will be first done before giving the vaccine.
Measles is a highly communicable viral illness transmitted to direct contact with nasal or throat secretion of infected person or by articles freshly soiled with nose and throat secretion.
The only way to prevent the disease is through vaccination and have a strong herd immunity from the community. (R.G. Antonet A. Go, photos courtesy of City Health Office)
(Source: Press conference of Corazon V. Pagotaisidro, City Health Office Immunization Program Coordinator)