Rare measles virus downs Northern Samar kids

Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit warned Filipinos yesterday on the spread of measles as he confirmed that a measles epidemic had hit Northern Samar, where at least 500 cases had been reported.

Dayrit said parents of young children, who have not received anti-measles vaccine, are advised to go to the nearest health center for vaccination.

If the vaccine is not available, Dayrit said parents should make sure their children get adequate Vitamin-A to strengthen their resistance against the disease.

Dayrit revealed that a Department of Health team has been sent to help the DOH field office in Northern Samar in administering treatment to measles victims.

Another team has been sent to Saranggani province to check reports of a measles outbreak there.

Measles is caused by a virus that do not have a cure. It is not a deadly disease, and in normal cases, a patient can recover within several days. However, some children suffer complications like pneumonia and diarrhea which may lead to death.

Dayrit said malnourished children who get sick of measles have the most difficulty in fighting the virus and commonly succumb to complications.

Dayrit stressed that the government has a yearly measles vaccination program, but he lamented that the vaccine does not reach far-flung areas.

As of this writing, at least 35 children have died of measles in Northern Samar while some 448 others have been hospitalized.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ignacio Pacho described the situation as "alarming." He noted that at least nine of the 24 municipalities of the province have been affected.

"This is not just an ordinary virus. This strain of measles or fever which hit our place is totally unfamiliar to us because we easily cured ordinary cases in the past," Pacho said.

A DOH team is now investigating the "strange" virus in the province.

The office of Gov. Raul Daza, meanwhile, is also exerting all efforts to stop the epidemic.

Last Nov. 16, a 14-man fact-finding team braved the strong winds, heavy rains, and the flooded river of Pambujan to visit the remote town of Silvino Lobos, where the epidemic is believed to have started.

The team, which included nurses, medical technologists and sanitary engineers, has yet to establish what caused the rapid spread of the disease.

Observers theorized that the frequent change in weather condition in the province may have contributed to the measles outbreak. — With Ricky J. Bautista