Measles outbreak in Iloilo under control THE measles outbreak in Barangay Trangka, Maasin, Iloilo has stabilized, according to the latest report of the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Pesu) of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office. All of the patients who suffered from measles have been treated accordingly following the surge of cases on the 41st morbidity week (October 5-11) in the village. There has been no fatality. There have been 30 reported cases of measles in the village since January this year. Most of patients were male (80 percent or 24 cases) belonging to 15 years old age group (47 percent or 14 cases). The cases had their peak on the 41st morbidity week wherein 13 cases were reported. A week thereafter, five cases were added in the list and seven emerged from October 19-25. Ninety percent or 27 cases were treated at Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital in Cabatuan and the remaining three cases were managed at home. Pesus report revealed that the low immunization rate among the villagers caused the outbreak. To be specific, 77 percent (23 cases) failed to receive the vaccine in the case of those who were diagnosed with measles. In order to prevent the spread of the virus, the rural health unit of Maasin made an immediate mop-up measles-rubella immunization targeting children aged six to eight months. Children in elementary and high school levels were also included in the campaign. To date, the mass vaccination in the town, particularly in the affected village, reached 152 children. Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon said the mop-up measles vaccination and health advocacy lectures will continue in the area until the villagers are fully educated about the risks of having measles. Quiñon said the parents must understand that the vaccination would boost their children’s immunity to measles and such could offer a lifetime protection to them. Measles, also known as tigdas or tipdas, is an acute and highly communicable viral illness caused by measles virus in the genus Morbillivirus of the family Paramyxovirus. It is characterized by a prodrome of fever, conjunctivitis, cough, coryza and rash. It is transmitted through direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons, or by articles freshly soiled with nose and throat secretions. Its incubation period range from seven to 21 days from exposure to onset of fever and usually 14 days until rash appears. (PIO)
Posted on: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 22:29:06 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015