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[av_heading heading=’Measles outbreak in Kabankalan City’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’18’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY RANIE AZUE
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Wednesday, March 21, 2018
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Health Office orders nonselective vaccination
BACOLOD City – Provincial Health Office (PHO) head Dr. Ernel Tumimbang ordered an immediate nonselective measles immunization in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
The order came after Mayor Isidro Zayco declared a measles outbreak in the city on Monday.
The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine based in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila confirmed that three of four suspected measles patients in Kabankalan City were positive for the viral infection.
Measles ranks as one of the leading causes of childhood mortality in the world despite the availability of effective vaccine, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
An “outbreak” is generally declared when the number of measles cases observed is greater that the number normally expected in a geographic area for a period of time.
But the definition of an “outbreak” varies according to the phase of measles control, according to WHO.
Under WHO guidelines for countries that have completed nationwide catch-up measles supplementary immunization activities like the Philippines, three or more confirmed measles cases translate to an outbreak.
What is nonselective immunization?
Tumimbang said it refers to total immunization of children aged nine months to five years old despite them getting anti-measles shots prior to the outbreak.
This is one of the countermeasures that the PHO implemented through local health offices in Kabankalan City.
Tumimbang said the four patients had not been administered with the vaccine when they were young.
Kabankalan City Health Office personnel have already started nonselective immunization in the hinterland Barangay Camugao where the patients came from.
Vaccinations will follow in nearby barangays, said Tumimbang.
Individuals who have gotten anti-measles shots before will this time be given booster shots to strengthen their immunity to the contagious disease.
Measles is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family and it is normally passed through direct contact and through the air.
The virus infects the respiratory tract then spreads throughout the body.
The first sign of measles is usually a high fever, which begins about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus, and lasts four to seven days.
A runny nose, a cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks can develop in the initial stage.
After several days, a rash erupts, usually on the face and upper neck. Over about three days, the rash spreads, eventually reaching the hands and feet. The rash lasts for five to six days, and then fades. On average, the rash occurs 14 days after exposure to the virus (within a range of seven to 18 days).
The highly contagious virus is spread by coughing and sneezing, close personal contact or direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions.
The virus remains active and contagious in the air or on infected surfaces for up to two hours. It can be transmitted by an infected person from four days prior to the onset of the rash to four days after the rash erupts./PN
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