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ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/26 January) – City Health Officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos has advised parents to have their children immunized against measles to ensure protection from the disease.
Agbulos issued the advice weeks after the reported outbreak of measles in Metro Manila.
He warned that Zamboanga is highly vulnerable to diseases like measles since “we are an open city with an open port.”
He said the parents may bring their children one-year old and below to the health centers in their respective barangays for free immunization every Wednesday.
The official assured the public that they have sufficient supply of anti-measles vaccines.
Agbulos said the common signs and symptoms of measles are fever with rashes and cough and colds.
He also advised the parents to immediately bring their children to a health center or clinic for consultation if they show such symptoms for early health management.
He explained that measles is a highly contagious disease that could lead to death due to complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, and diarrhea.
He advised his personnel to closely monitor their respective places of assignments for possible occurrence of measles.
The city health office recorded no cases of measles last year, and reported a 98-percent accomplishment for measles immunization.
According to Expanded Program Immunization Coordinator Corazon Pagotaisidro, four children who were reported to have acquired rashes at the height of the standoff with the Moro National Liberation Front-Misuari faction last September turned out negative for the disease. (MindaNews)