95 suspected cases: DOH starts anti-measles vaccination in Cordillera

BAGUIO CITY, -- The Department of Health has started this month to give anti-measles vaccination to nine months old and above residents of the Cordillera Administrative Region in line with the "Aquino Health Agenda."

Dr. Lenny Pangilinan, one of the DOH-CAR epidemiologist said the campaign is in line with the government's target of eradicating measles and other communicable diseases in the country.

Pangilinan said a total of 95 suspected measles cases have been treated in the region since January this year.

"The specimens from these victims are still subjected to laboratory tests," she said.

As part of the measles eradication in the country, she said the DOH will hold a month-long house-to-house measles vaccination from April 4 to May 4 for children nine months up to eight years old.

As per Health Secretary Enrique Ona’s directive, no child will be left out during the anti-measles vaccination campaign.

During the media forum, Joseph Zambrano, a government employee stressed the importance of the immunization because his son Joshua nearly lost his eyesight due to measles. "Now that he is treated, he can now see the beauty of the world."

According to Pangilinan, other health services of the government shall be given to the people as the "Aquino Health Agenda" seeks to lower the mortality rate in the country.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by high fever and rashes with fatal complications of diarrhea, vomiting, eye infection, otitis media (inner ear infection and inflammation) febrile convulsion and pneumonia.