Outbreak in Negros Oriental under close monitoring

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) head, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, recently revealed there are currently no measles cases in the province, in reference to the ongoing measles outbreak in neighboring Negros Oriental.

However, he noted the situation is being closely monitored, particularly in Mabinay, Negros Oriental and Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, which are located along the border between the two provinces.

The PHO head explained they are looking into vaccination records in barangays located near the border; along with instructing hospitals to examine patients for possible symptoms.

He added, “catch-up immunizations” are also being considered.

Earlier this week, the Negros Oriental DOH declared a measles outbreak in the province.

Among the towns and cities affected by the outbreak include Bacong, Dumaguete City, Mabinay, San Jose, Santa Catalina, Siaton, and Valencia.

Negros Oriental PHO head, Dr. Socrates Villamor, however, called the number of cases “minimal,” noting 21 cases were recorded across the province.

Villamor also believes the measles cases in the province may have been sparked by children who were not immunized or whose immunizations were “incomplete.”/DGB, WDJ