Cebu's Butuanon River samples test positive for poliovirus —DOH

The Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) confirmed that the environmental samples from Butuanon River in Mandaue City, Cebu have tested positive for poliovirus, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

In a statement on Saturday, the DOH is closely coordinating with the World Health Organization for an appropriate vaccination response.

Also, the department is assisting the cities of Cabanatuan and Mandaue to improve their Acute Flaccid Paralysis surveillance capacities including their identification and reporting mechanisms, DOH said.

“It is important that we are able to timely detect any acute onset of paralysis in children - especially within our communities,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said in the statement.

“We have evidence that the poliovirus continues to spread. Our aim is to promptly diagnose and treat all possible polio cases,” he added.

On Saturday, the DOH confirmed the 17th polio case in the country, who is a one-year-old boy from Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

The DOH campaign Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio (SPKP) in the National Capital Region and all regions of Mindanao continues.

It will run from February 17 – March 1 in all regions of Mindanao and February 24 - March 8 in Metro Manila, according to DOH. —Joviland Rita/LBG, GMA News