Philippine health officials declare polio outbreak
September 25, 2019 · By ucanews.com reporter, Manila for www.ucanews.com
Philippine Health Department officials launch a polio awareness and vaccination campaign in the capital Manila Sept. 20. (Photo by Basilio Sepe)
Philippine health officials have declared a polio outbreak after a 3-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy reportedly tested positive for the crippling disease, the first cases since 2000 when the country was declared polio-free.Polio, short for poliomyelitis, or infantile paralysis, is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. The virus is usually spread from person to person through infected fecal matter entering the mouth.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the Health Department declared an outbreak after “environmental samples” from the cities Manila and Davao tested positive for the virus.
The last case of poliovirus was reported in the country in 1993.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo called on parents to have their children vaccinated against the virus immediately.
“It is very sad that there is a re-emergence of polio after having eliminated it for years,” he said.
Bishop Pabillo urged the Health Department to address any fears parents might have in getting their children vaccinated.
The Department of Health has said that it is working to regain public trust in the government’s vaccination programs in the aftermath of a scrapped anti-dengue campaign.
In 2017, the government recalled the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia after its manufacturer said it could cause severe symptoms if given to those who have not had the mosquito-borne disease before.
Health officials have admitted that since then all other vaccination programs have been regarded with suspicion.
“The fears of the parents will have to be addressed by educating everyone about vaccination against polio, that it is safe and necessary,” said Bishop Pabillo.
He said the Health Department should also be “very transparent in its programs to gain the trust of the people and to allay their fears.”
Health officials admitted that low vaccination coverage, poor early surveillance of polio symptoms, and substandard sanitation practices caused the re-emergence of the virus.
Symptoms of polio include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiff neck and sudden onset of floppy arms or legs.
In severe cases, it can lead to permanent paralysis or even death. Children under five years of age are most vulnerable to the disease.
