211 measles cases in Cordi; DOH ups prevention moves

BAGUIO CITY – The Dept. of Health Cordillera regional office bared 211 measles suspected cases were recorded from Jan. 1 to Feb. 25 in the region, compared to 21 cases recorded during the same period last year.

Based on DOH Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit report, Baguio City and Benguet had the most measles cases with 119 and 60, respectively. 

Abra had 12 cases, Apayao with eight, Ifugao and Mountain Province with five cases each and Kalinga with two.

No measles – related death was recorded in the region.

Dr. Geeny Anne Austria of the DOH-RESU bared these in a media forum here saying DOH Cordillera regional director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan went to Apayao to personally check preparedness of the hospitals particularly on measles fast lane and isolation rooms and the DOH/LGU health teams’ readiness for the fever/rash surveillance. 

The DOH is already done prepositioning medical supplies, drugs and medicines to Apayao LGUs and to the Far North Luzon General Hospital and Training Center in Luna town which served as the main government health facility for the Cordillera Athletic Region Athletic Association last week of February to first week of March.

Nurses hired by the DOH and LGU health teams were assigned to strictly monitor athletes.

The DOH also brought health information materials and 4,000 pieces of face mask for them, Austria added.

This, as measles cases surveillance and information advocacy in  the region  got  a boost  from  the Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council  with the creation inter - agency task group chaired by the DOH-CAR.

In Memorandum No. 07signed by CRDRRMC chairperson Albert Mogol, the Task group’s vice chair is the Office of Civil Defense. Member agencies included the regional offices of departments of Education and Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Red Cross, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Philippine National Police, plus local government units and local DRRM offices in  the region. 

The creation of the task group will ensure intensified coordination and collaboration between member agencies in terms of measles case surveillance and formulation of preventive measures and contingency plans as well as IEC (information, education and communication) advocacy on measles – related health information, programs and services.

The task group also assisted the DOH in the security, safety and health conditions of the estimated 5,000 delegates in the CARAA meet. - JDP/CCD-PIA CAR