REGIONAL
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| DOH is monitoring possible measles cases in Malapatan, Sarangani/Photo from Athenahealth |
At least 17 children were reported to have died in several remote communities in Malapatan town in Sarangani in the last 3 weeks from suspected measles.
Municipal Health Office (MHO) chief, Dr. Diomedes Remitar, Malapatan said Monday the victims, which included infants, reportedly died several days after exhibiting severe symptoms of measles infection.
DOH has not yet declared a measles outbreak since test are will still done to confirm the children were infected with measles, Domingo said.
He added that the DOH is observing and treating 74 other reported cases.
The DOH has repeatedly reminded the public to go to their nearest health care providers for a measles vaccine because the disease is supposed to be vaccine-preventable.
Measles outbreaks were declared in Zamboanga City, Oriental, a barangay in Taguig, , Davao Region, and Davao City.
The DOH, launched its “Ligtas Tigdas” supplemental measles immunization program last April as a response to the outbreaks. The supplemental immunization program is done to achieve “herd immunity” status, where people who already have measles will be “walled off” from the rest of the population.
However, the DOH said the program fall below targets with few children vaccinated.
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