Chikungunya measles in Loon, Bohol: DOH holds vaccination

CEBU, Philippines - Regional health officials have conducted integrated vector management (IVM) in quake-hit Loon town in Bohol to prevent more cases of mosquito-borne diseases and a mop up vaccination on Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR).

The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) team of the Department of Health-7 went to the place after a confirmation that the earlier reported measles-like cases were indeed Chikungunya, a German measles ruled out by another laboratory confirmatory test.

“Two weeks ago, we received the results of the confirmatory lab test on the first batch of samples extracted from suspected measles-like cases in Loon,” said RESU-7 chief Rennan Cimafranca.

RESU, in partnership with Loon Rural Health Unit, identified the eligible recipients for the MMR vaccination aged one to 15 years old.

The World Health Organization defines IVM as a rational decision-making process for the optimal use of resources for vector control. The approach seeks to improve the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, ecological soundness and sustainability of disease-vector control.

Driving forces behind a growing interest in IVM include the need to overcome challenges experienced with conventional single-intervention approaches to vector control as well as recent opportunities for promoting multi-sectoral approaches to human health.

“We had those who have not gotten the MMR vaccine for over a month. These children were screened by the local health officials before we proceeded with the mop up vaccination,” Cimafranca said.

Two weeks ago, six out of 12 samples extracted last December from the first batch of suspected cases in Barangay Catagbacan tested positive for Chikungunya, based on laboratory test at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

Still among the same samples sent to RITM, only one tested positive for Rubella also known as German measles.

The RESU, however, has yet to receive the results of the confirmatory lab results for the second batch of samples, still 12 cases extracted early January.

Barangays of concern in the quake-battered  town included Poblacion, Catagbacan Sur, Catagbacan Norte, Catagbacan Handig, Catumocad and Pondol.

To kill adult carrier mosquitoes, curtains and mosquito nets in Loon were also treated with chemicals containing Lambda Cyhalothrin.

A low volume spraying of the same mosquito-busting chemical was also conducted where Cimafranca also explained no larvicide was used because of the rainy season.

“Ang atong recommendation sa RHU (rural health unit) especially to the sanitary inspectors is for them to have a household campaign sa pag-eradicate sa artificial water holding containers which could be breeding ground for these mosquitoes. Pwede sila mag-routine check kada hapon or buntag ba kaha depende nila,” the health official added.

Chikungunya, as defined by WHO, is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquito species dengue-carrying Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus, with the same symptom as ordinary measles (fever and rashes) accompanied by severe joint pains.

Cimafranca revealed that during operation in Bohol, there were newly-reported measles-like cases which were also subjected to confirmatory lab tests.

While the number could be considered an outbreak, much less an epidemic, he stressed that there is no need for such an official declaration saying Chikungunya is of low virulence which means it is not as fatal as dengue or other viral diseases.— /GMR (FREEMAN)