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DAVAO CITY – Health authorities confirmed that the polio virus had been found in the Davao River, prompting them to order a massive polio vaccination campaign next month targeting all the children in the city.
Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, city health officer, said that water samples previously submitted to the Tropical Medicine Research Institute (RITM) confirmed the presence of the polio virus in the Davao River, prompting health authorities to set up a massive vaccination campaign to begin next month to stop the spread of the virus.
"In October, there will be a vaccination in case of epidemic. All children must be covered, "she said.
Villafuerte however assured that there was no confirmed polio case yet.
She added that the city of Davao, the hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte, would be part of a massive vaccination campaign, with the exception of the provinces of the national capital, Lanao del Sur, the center of Luzon and Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal and Quezon). .
Villafuerte said the city's health office would involve the community in the fight against the resurgence of polio. All village leaders would be meeting on September 24 for a planning session.
Village leaders, she said, should be at the forefront of the fight against the resurgence of polio and immediately report cases of paralysis.
She added that village officials should also be responsible for the disposal of human waste.
The resorts do not need to close pools, she added. But she warned the public against bathing in the seaside resorts of the city until the waters were declared safe.
She added that swimmers, especially children, "can ingest contaminated water".
She also asked the owners of the complex to make sure their water was clean. "They should disinfect the water," she added.
Parents should be aware of the symptoms of polio such as fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiff neck and sudden weakness of the arms or legs.
Villafuerte said that if parents see these signs on their children, "please, go to the doctor right away."
Data from the Department of Health showed that polio immunization coverage in Davao City was only 72% between 2016 and 2018.
Villafuerte said people who have received complete polio vaccines should not worry. / TSB
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