DOH braces for new virus as dengue cases decrease

By Glenie Jen C. Ulban and Ronamee Galangco

BAGUIO CITY -- The Health department is preparing for new viruses and sicknesses that may erupt in this tourism resort with the onset of summer.

Aside from recent measles cases, the Dept. of Health had included vaccinations for dengue and Japanese encephalitis.

Health authorities said dengue cases in Baguio decreased by 24.4 % from 85 last year to 65 this year but ongoing anti-measles vaccination campaign met some resistance due to the dengvaxia controversy last year.

People lost confidence on vaccinations owing to negative impact of dengvaxia vaccinations wherein some children reportedly died as a result making it harder to persuade parents to let their children be vaccinated, authorities said.

The new virus Japanese encephalitis had also afflicted folks here.

Japanese encephalitis virus or the JEV is a flavivirus which is related to dengue and transmitted through mosquitos.

There had been cases in Baguio City since 2016 with three recorded in 2017 and two last year.

Symptoms of this disease are the same with dengue and measles such as fever but Japanese encephalitis can cause paralysis and brain damage.

Although the JEV is rare according to the World Health Organization, countries in Southeast Asia have endemic JEV transmission exposing 3 billion people to risk of infection.

According to Dr. Rowena Galpo, dengue vaccines and Japanese encephalitis are also included in the vaccines that the City health office is offering.

Health authorities here are on last stage of immunization will move on to the “mopping up” stage, where they will be reaching out to the children who have not yet finished their anti-vaccination shots. 

The mass immunization campaign which started last February will now be finalized after having the peak of measles outbreak last week of February to the first week of March, where measles cases reached up to 218 patients in Baguio city alone but with no death cases known.

According to Dr. Rowena Galpo, the City health officer, they are targeting around 34,000 children of Baguio city from 0 – 59 months to be vaccinated in one month.

She said the anti-vaccination campaign has already covered up to 40 % of the city’s location and is aiming for another 20 % at the end of the month.

The city is also anticipating the spread of measles this incoming summer vacation in the city that is why the city health office is trying to finish the vaccination.

With tourists coming to Baguio, risk of measles spreading is possible because of the crowded areas.

The measles virus is highly contagious and can be transferred through coughing and viral.

There is no treatment to it. Patients are prescribed medicines for the symptoms such as fever and rashes.

Galpo said the best prevention for measles is vaccination. She also stated that a way to help prevent measles aside from vaccination is boosting the immune system through healthy lifestyle such as having the right amount of sleep, having a good diet, exercising and to avoiding smoking and drinking.  Galpo said covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing and washing of hands helps prevent diseases.

Meanwhile, DOH nurse Geeny Austria said half of the target population for JE vaccination has been reached due to mass campaign dubbed as "Oplan CULEX".

House-to-house visitations of medical officers and voluntary visits to the different rural health units by the families were done to reach this milestone.

Oplan CULEX started last February 14 and is expected to end this month. Extensions may possible if the target population hasn't been covered by then.

Austria added that increased JE Vaccinations are scheduled in the upcoming weeks and reaching for other age groups may be possible.

JE is a mosquito-borne viral infection, it can be transmitted through the bite of an infected female Culex mosquito. JE has a 35% Morbidity rate and half of the survivors may experience permanent brain damage.

In another development, DOH authorities said possible diseases that can be contracted this summer include food and water-borne diseases.

An increasing trend of typhoid cases and decreasing trend of acute bloody diarrhea has been observed.

A disease surveillance report bared from Jan. 1 to March 9, an increase of 153% of typhoid/paratyphoid fever cases was noted with decrease of 16% of ABD cases.

Austria said people may practice unsanitary habits, such as improper handwashing, due to expected water shortage occurrences this summer season.

Typhoid fever and ABD are caused by ingesting contaminated food and water containing bacteria, primarily salmonella.