DOH confirms 2nd polio case in PHL

The Department of Health has confirmed another polio case in the country — this time, a five year-old boy from Laguna.

In a press statement released Friday, the DOH said samples sent to the Japan National Institute for Infectious Diseases turned positive for the polio virus.

It said the child was immunocompromised as he was suffering from multiple pediatric diseases.

The boy experienced the onset of paralysis last August 25, 2019, the DOH said.

At present, however, the boy, the second human case of polio recorded in 19 years, has been discharged from the hospital and is able to walk. He is closely being monitored for residual symptoms.

“We continue to urge parents and caregivers of children below five years old, health workers, and local chief executives to take part in the synchronized polio vaccination to be scheduled in their communities,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III was quoted in the statement as saying.

Duque added that this is the only way to stop the spread of the debilitating, and sometimes fatal, disease.

“We are also reiterating our advisory to the public to practice good personal hygiene, wash their hands regularly, to use toilets, drink safe water, and to cook food thoroughly,” he said.

The first human polio case recorded  was a three-year-old girl from Lanao del Sur.

Vaccination program

Earlier, the DOH said it was aiming to have 5.5 million children vaccinated as a measure against the rise of polio in the country following its re-emergence after 19 years.

According to the DOH, the polio vaccination program started in August 2019 in Metro Manila.

For next month, they aim to simultaneously hold a vaccination program for children below five years old in Metro Davao City and Lanao del Sur.

"The polio vaccinations happen all year round, but our coverage dropped for the past five years," Rolando Enrique Domingo, an undersecretary of the Department of Health, told Reuters.

"We've learned our lesson. It is time to move on and really start vaccinating all kids and make sure we sustain this every year."

Vaccination teams will aim to administer polio drops to every child younger than five, he added. — RSJ, GMA News