The Department of Health-Center for Health Development-Region VI (DOH-CHD-6) reported the number of measles cases in the Western Visayas is on the decline. According to the recent DOH-CHD morbidity week, a weekly report documenting issues related to various disease, the number of cases dropped from the 105 recorded between March 24 and March 30, to 30, which were recorded from April 7 to 13.
“We are already on the downtrend [for] measles cases, affirmed DOH-CHD-6 Family Health and Nutrition Cluster head, Dr. Renilyn Reyes.
She noted, however, the measles outbreak, which was declared earlier this year, remains in place, explaining, an outbreak can only be lifted by the DOH central office once there have been no more reported cases over the course of 42 days.
Reyes said DOH-6 plans on maintaining routine vaccinations to ensure the downward trend continues.
As of April 17, there have been a total 1,907 incidents of measles reported throughout the region, 83 of which are confirmed cases.
Meanwhile, DOH-6 Child Health Program medical coordinator, Dr. Mary Jane Roches Juanico, said they are currently conducting a “mop-up vaccination” program, which began yesterday and runs until May 15.
Through the program, DOH-6 personnel have been deployed to priority municipalities to conduct vaccinations while staff from provincial health offices and DOH offices are also being utilized to conduct rapid coverage assessments./WDJ