25 environment samples from NCR, 1 from Davao positive for poliovirus

THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) on Wednesday announced 26 environment samples — 25 from Metro Manila and one from Davao Region — are positive for poliovirus. There have been no confirmed polio cases so far in these two regions. “The presence of the poliovirus in environmental samples implies that carriers of the virus are continuously shedding in the communities. If viruses continue to spread from person-to-person in areas with low immunization coverage, the polio virus evolves and regains the ability to cause paralysis,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said. The samples were collected from sewage treatment plants and bodies of water from areas without treatment plants. Mr. Duque said these results highlight the need to expand its vaccination program for children below five years old. Eight cases of poliovirus have been reported from September to November, with six in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and one each in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Laguna. — Gillian M. Cortez