MORE THAN one month after a measles outbreak was declared in Western Visayas, the number of suspected cases in the region stood at 1,317 as of March 15, with five deaths attributed to the preventable disease. The Department of Health-Center for Health Development regional office (DoH-CHD6) reported that more than half of the suspected cases belong to the five years old and below age group at 626, followed by 16 years old and above at 563), and 6-15 years old with 128. Negros Occidental still had the highest number of cases with 473, followed by Antique (231), Bacolod City (146), Iloilo province (217), Aklan (93), Iloilo City (63), and Capiz (59). Vincent J. Sumergido, DoH-6 senior health program officer, said their priority target for measles vaccination are still 6-59 months old children “because they also have greater chances to suffer from complications.” Mr. Sumergido noted a shift in parents’ attitude towards vaccination. “The environment of the parents have changed. They now opt for voluntary immunization,” he said. Health officials said they are targeting to finish the immunization for 6-59 months old by the end of March and the school-based immunization on April 5. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

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