Another child dies from suspected measles in Sarangani

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- The Department of Health in Region 12 (DOH-12) or Soccsksargen said another child died of suspected measles on Wednesday in Sarangani, raising the death toll to three since January this year.

Jenny Ventura Panizales, DOH-12 focal person for measles eradication, said a nine-month-old child died from suspected measles in Glan, Sarangani over the weekend. Only last week, a child in Alabel, Sarangani, also died from suspected measles symptoms.

“The causes of death of these two children are being validated but health workers and parents confirmed cases of measles in their communities,” Panizales said.

Early on, a four-month-old baby died from a validated case of measles in Polomolok, South Cotabato. As of February 27, the DOH-12 has monitored 342 suspected measles cases in various hospitals in the region.

“This (figure) is 14 percent higher as compared to the same period last year which has 299 cases,” Panizales said.

Various hospitals in Cotabato City also served 75 patients with suspected measles from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which was included in the reporting for the Soccsksargen (Region 12), she added.

To date, Cotabato City has 41 suspected measles cases, General Santos City (56), North Cotabato (56), Sarangani (79), Sultan Kudarat (15) and South Cotabato (95).

Panizales has appealed to the public, especially mothers of children nine-months to 59-months old, to bring their children to nearby health stations for measles vaccination.

She also advised parents of children below 59 months to keep their kids away from neighbors or communities where measles was reported high to avoid contamination.

“There’s no outbreak despite the high number of measles cases in the region,” Panizales said.

Dr. Aristides Tan, DOH-12 director has ordered the cancellation of other activities in the region so that more personnel can help in the vaccination starting March. (PNA)

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