By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
The Iloilo City Health Office reported one confirmed measles case in the Mandurriao district and 24 suspected cases across the city, prompting health officials to conduct catch-up immunizations.
Dr. Jennifer Tuvilla-Anceno said the confirmed case involves a 19-year-old woman from Passi City who works in Mandurriao.
“Children in the area are already exposed, that’s why we have to do this catch-up for those who are lacking, and for those in areas with positive cases,” she said during a press conference Thursday, March 27.
The city will implement both selective and non-selective measles and rubella vaccination campaigns in Mandurriao.
The non-selective campaign aims to achieve 95 percent vaccination coverage by providing supplementary doses to children ages 9 to 59 months, regardless of their vaccination status.
The selective campaign will target children in the same age group who have not received or completed two doses of a measles-containing vaccine.
Mandurriao recorded the most suspected measles cases with eight, followed by Molo with four; Lapuz and Jaro I with three each; and Arevalo, La Paz, and Jaro II with two each.
Unlike Mandurriao, which has a confirmed case, areas with suspected cases will have selective immunization efforts focused on specific villages where cases were reported.
The health office also plans to expand vaccination to children ages 6 to 13 through school-based programs targeting those who missed earlier doses.
While there are sufficient vaccine supplies, Tuvilla-Anceno said vulnerable groups will be prioritized and adult vaccination will depend on availability and logistics.
Measles symptoms usually appear 10 to 14 days after exposure and progress in stages.
Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, conjunctivitis, Koplik’s spots—tiny white spots inside the mouth—and skin rashes.
Tuvilla-Anceno warned that measles can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and blindness, especially in high-risk groups.
“We call them vaccine-preventable diseases because they are included in our immunization program,” she said.
“We want to prevent the worst complications of measles.”
She noted that vaccination rates in Iloilo City have been improving, with recognition for high coverage in previous years, but reaching under-vaccinated children remains a challenge.
“We appeal to parents to allow their children to receive these immunizations,” she said.
“We assure them the vaccine is safe, effective, and free of charge. The protection of your children is in your hands.”