Measles outbreak in Negros Oriental towns

Among the affected areas were Bacong, Dumaguete City, Mabinay, San Jose, Santa Catalina, Siaton and Valencia.

Health office confirms measles outbreak in 7 Negros Oriental towns



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Link broken or gone? Does not work for me.

 

Sorry link was no longer valid, updated article out today via ABS-CBN

DOH confirms measles outbreak in Negros Oriental


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The First link worked fine for me, but for anyone who cannot read it I will post the article below;
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Health Office confirms Measles outbreak in 7 Negros Oriental Towns​

ABS-CBN News

Posted at Mar 05 2018 02:56 PM | Updated as of Mar 06 2018 05:13 AM

MANILA (2nd UPDATE) - An outbreak of measles has hit 7 towns in Negros Oriental, its Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) confirmed Monday.

Among the affected areas were Bacong, Dumaguete City, Mabinay, San Jose, Santa Catalina, Siaton and Valencia, Dr. Leilan Estacion of the IPHO said in a phone interview with ABS-CBN News.

There have been no measles-related deaths in these areas so far, she said.

Measles is an infectious disease that can cause death among infants as young as 3 months old. Colder temperatures typically cause a spike in cases of the illness, symptoms of which include skin rashes and fever, authorities have said.

The Department of Health also confirmed measles outbreaks in a Taguig village last week and in Davao City last month.

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The Department of Health earlier sought to allay fears amid reports of measles outbreak in some parts of the country.

"Nasa elimination phase na tayo ng tigdas," Health Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag said in an interview with Bandila DZMM.

Cases of measles, locally known as tigdas, were reduced because of high level of immunization coverage against the disease.

"Isang kaso lang, isa na pong outbreak," Tayag said.

Though there's no cause for alarm, especially for parents whose children already received vaccination, he said it still important to take precaution.

A supplementary immunization activity, known as catch-up vaccination, will be conducted to areas with measles outbreak.

Measles, Tayag said, is highly contagious and is normally passed through direct contact.

"90 percent ang secondary attack rate. Lahat mahahawa, lalo na kung hindi nabakunahan," he said.

Signs to look out for are cold, cough, and sore eyes.

Because children are vulnerable, Tayag encouraged parents to administer an oral dose of vitamin A to their kids.

Unvaccinated young children are at highest risk against the disease.

Its serious complications include severe diarrhea, pneumonia, and blindness.

Tayag urged parents to bring their children to health centers for anti-measles vaccination.

Measles vaccines, he said, should be administered twice.

First shot must be taken when a child is nine months old and to be followed when the child reach the age of 12 months to 18 months. - with a report from Annie Perez, ABS-CBN News

 

Dumaguete City has the highest number of cases with seven suspect and two laboratory-confirmed cases, according to Dr. Socrates Villamor, provincial chief of the DOH-Negros Oriental. The confirmed measles cases this year involved adults, and the incidents are sporadic and affected areas not clustered, “although we are still trying to get some more data. ... What is important for us is that we want to cut the transmission (of the measles virus) as much as possible” especially to children below five years old,” he said.

There is a possibility that those afflicted with measles may not have been immunized when they were children or their immunization status is incomplete, the DOH official said.

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection transmitted through secretions when people come in contact with those infected with the virus, and therefore it is important for people to pay attention to hygiene and to avoid crowded places. Washing of hands regularly can also be a preventive measure against contracting measles.

 

There are two types of measles, each caused by a different virus. Although both produce a rash and fever, they are really different diseases. Which kind are we referring too? When I was a kid they were called either German Measles or Red measles.

Oops, no worries. I just googled and found out that the MMR vaccine protects against both so get the vaccine to all the kids and we are good (Google also says that us seniors probably have immunity by now. If we made it this far we must have been exposed and either been vaccinated at a young age or had the disease and got past it. Or so I interpret what I read. Maybe a doc can chime in here.)

 

On the contrary... MMR vaccine is not recommended for adults beyond 64 years old. See Recommended Immunization Schedule For Adults