(Eagle News)–The Department of Health on Thursday, Sept. 19, declared polio was “re-emerging” 19 years after the country was declared polio-free by the World Health Organization.
This was after the agency confirmed a case in Lanao del Sur.
In a statement, the DOH said the case involved a three-year-old, while another case was awaiting confirmation.
“In addition, the polio virus has been detected in samples taken from sewage in Manila and waterways in Davao as part of the regular environmental surveillance,” the DOH said.
It said the samples were tested by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and verified by the Japan National Institute for Infectious Diseases and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The DOH said “a single confirmed polio case of vaccine-derived polio virus Type 2 or two positive environmental samples that are genetically linked, isolated in two different locations is considered an epidemic in a polio-free country.”
“DOH, in close coordination with local government units and concerned national agencies, and with the support of WHO, the United Nations Children’s Fund and other partners is preparing a rapid response to the polio outbreak,” the DOH said.
It said this includes a “series of synchronized oral polio vaccinations” to protect every child under 5 years of age in areas at risk beginning October, and collaboration with partners to strengthen polio surveillance.
“Aside from immunization, we remind the public to practise good personal hygiene, wash their hands regularly, use toilets, drink safe water and cook food thoroughly,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.
Polio is an infectious disease that can cause paralysis.
