The City Government of Tacloban through the leadership of Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez and the City Health Office (CHO) has advised the public not to refuse immunization and keep surroundings clean to prevent the incidence of measles and dengue.

According to City Health Officer Dr. Jaime Opinion, Dengue cases were recorded highest in barangays 109 V&G, 106 Sto. Nino, 91 Abucay, 107 Sta. Elena and 97 Cabalawan. At least 333 dengue cases with 2 deaths were recorded as of June 30, added the local health office.

“After identifying the threats, we immediately had surveillance and fumigation. We also dispatched additional Health Personnel to conduct monitoring and make sure that the cases will not anymore increase,” explained Opinion.

The CHO however, emphasized that the best prevention is keeping surroundings clean and disposing of anything that may retain water.

Dengue symptoms include high fever that lasts 2 to 7 days a headache, muscle and joint pains, stomachache, nose, and gum bleeding, vomiting and the appearance of rashes, among others. Immediate medical attention is advised of anyone that exhibits these symptoms.

Meanwhile, the Tacloban CHO attributed the cases of Measles to the low rate of immunization last year caused by the Dengvaxia Controversy.

It was reported that cases heightened as early as March with 263 confirmed measles cases and 7 deaths, but cases gradually decreased after the massive immunization drive started by the local government.

“Almost 20,000 were vaccinated and this covers 91 percent. I guess that was high enough because we focused on the vaccination which resulted to even have zero cases in one week,” disclosed Dr. Opinion.

“That is how aggressive the City Mayor’s Office and the CHO, of course, the Department of Health. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated because the beauty of this is all for free,” said the Health Official.

Starting July 15 to September, the CHO is set to visit 40 Elementary and High Schools in Tacloban to conduct the free vaccinations. – HJR/CBM/TCIO

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Photo : C. Merin/CIO