Measles outbreak declared in Davao City

The Davao City Health Office on Monday declared a measles outbreak in the city due to the rise in the number of people infected by the viral disease from November 2017 to January 2018.

Data from the health office showed that as of January 6, a total of 222 people have been found positive of the viral infection. Sixteen of those who tested positive were call center agents.

It was, however, noted that not all patients are residents of Davao City, but they are all hospitalized in the city.

Doctor Josephine Villafuerte, chief of the health office, said a total of 13,000 children aged five months to 59 months have been vaccinated since the first case of measles was reported two weeks ago.

“We wanted to avoid the spread of the virus,” Villafuerte said in a press release.

She said the health office has been doing the following measures to avoid the spreading of the virus:

• Conduct immunization/booster of measles vaccine for children, six to 59 months.
• Conduct fixed site, house-to-house and health center measles immunization. Services are free.
• Increase information/education campaign on measles awareness.
• Advise establishments/workplaces that if an employee shows signs/symptoms of measles, they advise that employee not to report for work.

Villafuerte also reminded the public regarding the signs and symptoms of measles such as high fever, cough, colds, sore throat, inflammation of the eyes, skin rashes and white spots on the inner lining of the cheeks. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News