DOH lifts Code Blue alert

As pertussis, measles cases drop  

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has deactivated the Code Blue alert after cases of pertussis and measles continued to drop.

The alert was earlier raised at the DOH central office in Manila to inform the public to be wary about the symptoms and effects of these diseases.

A public health emergency operation center was established at the national level to monitor and curb the cases.

It was followed by an intensified vaccination campaign, which was spearheaded by the DOH and local government officials.

Data showed that pertussis cases recorded from May 12 to 25 dropped by 38 percent compared to the number of infections recorded from April 28 to May 11.

From 301 cases, the figure decreased to 187 during the period.

Meanwhile, cases of measles-rubella showed signs of plateauing during the same period.

From 283 cases recorded from April 28 to May 11, the figure dropped to 178 from May 12 to 25, or a decrease of 37 percent.

“This is a far cry from the number of cases recorded when the Code Blue alert was raised on March 20. The alert intensified activities intended to mitigate the spread of the virus through vaccination, micronutrient supplementation, community engagement and risk communication,” the DOH said in a statement.

The Bangsamoro region reported that measles-rubella cases have stabilized after local health authorities logged a 58-percent decrease.

“The measles outbreak response immunization in the Bangsamoro region was a success, with at least 1.2 million people or 87.9 percent of the eligible population having received the vaccine,” the DOH said.

It said that focused vaccination campaign and community engagements led to the deactivation of the Code Blue alert.

Pertussis is an acute respiratory infection caused by bacteria bordetella pertussis.

The infection poses a threat, particularly among infants and children who are at risk of developing severe symptoms and life-threatening complications.