DOH: No need to declare nationwide measles outbreak | ABS-CBN

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DOH: No need to declare nationwide measles outbreak
DOH: No need to declare nationwide measles outbreak
RAPHAEL BOSANO,
ABS-CBN News
Published Apr 10, 2024 02:54 PM PHT

MANILA — Despite the rising numbers of measles cases in the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) does not see the need to declare a nationwide outbreak of the highly contagious disease.
In a media forum Wednesday, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said that while majority of measles cases in the country was logged in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), vaccination rates in other parts of the country were relatively high.
“I cannot declare an outbreak because mataas ang vaccination [rate] sa ibang lugar. Although may cases pa rin pero vaccination rate is 85%. May 15% ng mga bata ang susceptible,” he said.
(I cannot declare an outbreak because vaccination rates in other areas are hight. Although they log cases, but the vaccination rate 85%. So you only have 15% of kids susceptible.)
MANILA — Despite the rising numbers of measles cases in the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) does not see the need to declare a nationwide outbreak of the highly contagious disease.
In a media forum Wednesday, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said that while majority of measles cases in the country was logged in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), vaccination rates in other parts of the country were relatively high.
“I cannot declare an outbreak because mataas ang vaccination [rate] sa ibang lugar. Although may cases pa rin pero vaccination rate is 85%. May 15% ng mga bata ang susceptible,” he said.
(I cannot declare an outbreak because vaccination rates in other areas are hight. Although they log cases, but the vaccination rate 85%. So you only have 15% of kids susceptible.)
There were 2,500 cases of measles across the Philippines when the Department of Health visited BARMM, where 1,600 of the cases had been recorded, during Holy Week last month.
There were 2,500 cases of measles across the Philippines when the Department of Health visited BARMM, where 1,600 of the cases had been recorded, during Holy Week last month.
Herbosa said the DOH had to intervene in the region, which has its own Ministry of Health.
Herbosa said the DOH had to intervene in the region, which has its own Ministry of Health.
“It has to help the BARMM government because I don’t think they understand the gravity of the outbreak of measles there,” he said.
“It has to help the BARMM government because I don’t think they understand the gravity of the outbreak of measles there,” he said.
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He said that BARMM officials told him that the rise of cases was due to continued transmission, but he said that it was because of failed outbreak response.
He said that BARMM officials told him that the rise of cases was due to continued transmission, but he said that it was because of failed outbreak response.
“Kasi you should be able to stop any measles outbreak in six weeks,” he said.
(Because you should be able to stop any measles outbreak in six weeks.)
“Kasi you should be able to stop any measles outbreak in six weeks,” he said.
(Because you should be able to stop any measles outbreak in six weeks.)
SUPPLEMENTAL IMMUNIZATION IN 2023
The DOH conducted supplemental immunization activities for measles, rubella, and polio in 2023.
SUPPLEMENTAL IMMUNIZATION IN 2023
The DOH conducted supplemental immunization activities for measles, rubella, and polio in 2023.
This, following several years of missed immunization for children due to the global pandemic.
This, following several years of missed immunization for children due to the global pandemic.
Unfortunately, while many parts of the country were able to fulfill the 85% vaccination coverage target, BARMM was only able to reach 50%.
“Mataas ang vaccine hesitancy in BARMM. This has been the perennial problem. Maraming parents ang hindi naniniwala sa vaccine so ‘yan ang uphill battle,” Herbosa said.
(Vaccine hesitancy is high in BARMM. A lot of parents do not believe in vaccines so it’s really an uphill battle.)
Unfortunately, while many parts of the country were able to fulfill the 85% vaccination coverage target, BARMM was only able to reach 50%.
“Mataas ang vaccine hesitancy in BARMM. This has been the perennial problem. Maraming parents ang hindi naniniwala sa vaccine so ‘yan ang uphill battle,” Herbosa said.
(Vaccine hesitancy is high in BARMM. A lot of parents do not believe in vaccines so it’s really an uphill battle.)
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The DOH aims to immunize 1.3 million children in BARMM alone. So far it has given the vaccine to some 500,000 children.
“In about 4-6 weeks, hopefully, we can declare that the measles outbreak in BARMM is already controlled. We’re getting there. We’re not there yet, but we’re on track,” Herbosa said.
The Philippines last declared a measles outbreak — when there are more cases of a disease than normally expected — in several regions in February 2019, where cases reached over 48,000 according to a report by The Lancet.
The DOH aims to immunize 1.3 million children in BARMM alone. So far it has given the vaccine to some 500,000 children.
“In about 4-6 weeks, hopefully, we can declare that the measles outbreak in BARMM is already controlled. We’re getting there. We’re not there yet, but we’re on track,” Herbosa said.
The Philippines last declared a measles outbreak — when there are more cases of a disease than normally expected — in several regions in February 2019, where cases reached over 48,000 according to a report by The Lancet.
Outbreak clusters were first reported in Mindanao, followed by the National Capital Region.
Measles is among the vaccine-preventable disease which is part of the government’s routine immunization program.’
Outbreak clusters were first reported in Mindanao, followed by the National Capital Region.
Measles is among the vaccine-preventable disease which is part of the government’s routine immunization program.’
The DOH urged parents for have their children vaccinated against the illness which has long been proven effective.
The DOH urged parents for have their children vaccinated against the illness which has long been proven effective.
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