DOH reports 3rd confirmed case of polio in Maguindanao
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Press Release/28 October 2019
Department of Health (DOH) today reported the third confirmed polio case in the country.
According to Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, the third confirmed case is a four-year old female from Datu Piang in the Province of Maguindanao who did not receive any dose of the oral polio vaccine (OPV). The patient was initially reported as a case of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) last September 26, 2019, after seeking consultation at the Cotabato Regional Medical Center. Presenting signs and symptoms were fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle pain.
On October 24, stool samples sent to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases - Japan tested positive for vaccine-derived poliovirus 2 (VDPV2). The polio virus isolated was genetically linked to the VDPV2 from the confirmed Polio case in Morogong, Lanao del Sur.
Samples from another suspected case were sent for testing, awaiting results and confirmation.
As part of its polio response, the DOH will be conducting a vaccination campaign in Datu Piang, Maguindanao. This is scheduled on November 4-8 to vaccinate 4,254 children aged 0 to 59 months. Related to this, the Health Chief assured that stocks of OPV are sufficient and that preparations are underway.
The DOH, World Health Organization, and United Nations Children's Fund are set to meet with local officials of Datu Piang on October 28-29 to discuss the outbreak response.
“I enjoin all parents and guardians, to ensure that all of your children are protected from all vaccine-preventable diseases,” Duque concluded.