Measles “code blue” alert raised in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Health in Central Visayas raised a “code blue” alert status in Cebu following a report of cases of measles.

As of April 21, the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU-7) counted a total of 143 suspected cases, 37 of which have been confirmed. Two of the 37 confirmed cases are from Cebu province.

The surveillance body also recorded the first death this year in Tuburan town. Health personnel suspect that the child died due to complications caused by measles.

“Code blue” alert means that all health units and facilities should be watchful and prompt to meet any report or cases of measles, said RESU cluster head Dr. Shelbay Blanco.

He explained that the other alert status level is “code red,” which is hoisted in areas to be alarmed of an impending outbreak. An outbreak was earlier declared in Negros Oriental, where most of the cases are reported. Blanco said the declaration remains until now.

Health authorities have been vigilant of the apparent spread of measles in the country and have taken measures to control this contagious disease. In Central Visayas, Blanco said that teams from DOH-7 were deployed in areas where there are reported cases.

Specimens from patients were taken to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Manila for laboratory analysis to examine whether the person is inflicted with measles, he said. Results may be released in two weeks or may take more than one month.

Blanco said DOH-7 has also trained disease surveillance coordinators in every locality to do the close observation of the reported cases.

Moreover, Blanco said the National Immunization Program coordinators of DOH-7 also has finished the catch up immunization in Negros and so the regional office is now planning to expand this initiative to other provinces like Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor.

He said health personnel will have to go house-to-house to administer the vaccine to children that have missed the routine immunization. — FPL (FREEMAN)