Editorial

PHO Bares Prevention Against Measles, Rubella and Polio

by Ernesto T. Solidum

Measles, rubella (German measles) and polio are top viral diseases that annually claim the lives of children worldwide. In 2012 recorded deaths for measles were 122,000 cases or 300 deaths every day or 14 deaths per hour. In the Philippines, out of 10 common causes of deaths, measles rank number 1 while polio may not be intense but important because the disease was wiped out in 2000 but reappeared 3 years ago due to the imported wild polio virus.

In Kapihan sa Aklan forum on July 5, 2014 at the Conference room of Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokun Memorial Hospital, Dr. Cornelio Cuachon Jr, Public Health Officer (PHO) I, gave a power point presentation on the nature, status and treatment to lower the disease incidence which mainly are affecting children and young adults. Health authorities have come up with a nation-wide month long vaccination program dispensing measles-rubella vaccine for kids 9 to 59 months old and oral polio vaccine from birth to 59 months old. Dr. Cuachon said that September is chosen campaign month because the month appears to have the highest disease occurrence. Campaign period targets all 327 barangays of Aklan.

Casual organism of measles is paramyxovirus that normally grows in the walls that line the back of the throat and lungs. It is spread through coughing and sneezing and personal contact of body fluids. The clinical signs are fever for 2-4 days, cough, conjunctivitis (red eye) and rushes for 5-7 days. Most deaths are due to complications namely: blindness, encephalitis (infection that causes brain swelling), severe diarrhea, ear infection and pneumonia.

The only practical and economical way to treat measles, rubella and polio is to subject the children to vaccination program given free by Public Health Office personnel. Measles-rubella vaccine is administered in 2 doses while polio vaccine is given once through the mouth. Vaccines are actually weakened virus or bacteria that when injected into the bloodstream of a person induces development of anti-bodies to fight off the disease. In effect, it makes a person immune to future attack. Definitely, there is no specific anti-viral drug for measles and polio victims said Dr. Cuachon.

Ms. Bella Villaruel, Nurse III revealed that they have a target of 66,107 children for measles and rubella vaccination and 77,604 kids for oral polio treatment in the province of Aklan. They are confident that with the help of LGU’s, barangay officials, brgy. health workers and brgy. nutrition scholars, they could increase vaccination performance to 95 percent this year.

It is noted that calamities like typhoons and floods predispose the people especially children to various illnesses. The country is devastated by an average of 23 typhoons per year and health workers may find difficulty in performing their task. It is disheartening to know that parents are not completely sold out to immunization as a way to prevent disease outbreaks until it is too late. World Health Organization data show that measles vaccination resulted to 78 percent drop in measles death between the years 2000 and 2012 worldwide.

Dr. Victor Santamaria, PHO II averred that mass info education campaigns on the above diseases are done in earnest via television, radio and public forum starting July to September. In reality, promotion of health and wellness must be ingrained in our personal lifestyle such as balance nutrition, exercise, rest and health habits that include vaccination. This campaign is vital since lives and the future of our children are at stake. /MP