ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has intensified its campaign to prevent the spread of measles following the confirmation of three cases.
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects the respiratory tract and spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms often include a fever of 40°C or higher, along with the characteristic signs of measles.
The first confirmed case is a 31-year-old male from Barangay Culasi, Ajuy town who had a history of traveling to Metro Manila for one week. He travelled via roll-on, roll-off (roro) vessel and, upon returning, experienced fever, sore throat, white spots in the mouth, rashes, and diarrhea, which led to his hospitalization. A specimen was taken and sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), where measles was confirmed.
The second case involves a 16-year-old male from Iloilo City, currently residing in Barangay Bongco, Pototan town. He is a student in Pototan and has no history of travel. However, his sibling had travelled to Metro Manila. After returning to Pototan, the patient began showing measles-like symptoms, suggesting possible exposure to the virus.
The third case is an 11-month-old baby from Cabatuan town whose parents have no history of travel or close contact with any known measles case. The child had received only one dose of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and presented with fever, rashes, and conjunctivitis.
IPHO head, Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, confirmed that out of 37 specimens sent to RITM for confirmation, three returned positive for measles, while 21 were not, and four results are still pending. She reassured the public that all three patients have recovered.
Measles poses a high risk to unvaccinated individuals, who are more likely to contract the virus. It can lead to serious complications such as ear infections, meningitis, pneumonia, or even death, and may cause severe conditions like blindness in some cases.
The health official reassured the public that all healthcare facilities in the province, including district hospitals and Rural Health Units (RHUs), are prepared to manage measles cases.
“Rest assured that our facilities are well-informed and prepared for such cases,” Dr. Quiñon said.
She encouraged parents of children aged 12 months and below to have their children vaccinated with the MMR and other required vaccines to protect them from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), including tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and measles. Parents can avail of free vaccinations at RHUs./PN
