At least five cases of measles have been reported in Negros Oriental since the start of this year with the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) calling on mothers and the general public to help in the prevention of the spread of the disease.
This, as many parts of the country have reported a spike in measles cases over the past recent months with some areas declaring an outbreak.
IPHO chief Dr. Edgar Barredo on Friday disclosed that the measles cases reported since January 1 this year include two in Lipayo, Dauin town and one each in Dumaguete, Tanjay and Sibulan.
Last year, the IPHO recorded a total of seven cases in Negros Oriental, to include four in the capital city of Dumaguete, two in Amlan and one in Basay, for the whole of 2013, according to Dr. Barredo.
Dr. Barredo expressed hope amid possibilities of an increase in measles cases in the province this year that there will be no outbreak as the IPHO has achieved a high percentage of coverage in its anti-measles campaign in 2012 and 2013.
In 2013, records at the IPHO showed 80 percent coverage or 29,426 children aged nine months and less than two years having been vaccinated/immunized against measles.
In 2012, IPHO posted a higher coverage at 83 percent, representing 29,683 targeted children given the anti-measles vaccine.
Dr. Barredo said the best prevention to an outbreak or rise in measles cases is vaccination/immunization, with the provincial government providing these for free to its constituents.
He called on parents to take the initiative to have their children aged nine months to less than two years to proceed to any public health station, such as the rural health centers, rural health units or barangay health stations for the vaccine.
There is enough measles vaccine in Negros Oriental, Dr. Barredo assured. (PNA/JFP)
