The Department of Health on Wednesday confirmed three more cases of poliovirus, which were all reported from Mindanao, bringing to seven the total of new polio cases this year.
Samples from the three new cases that were sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and the National Institute of Infectious Diseases-Japan came out positive for poliovirus.
All three cases were admitted to the Cotabato Regional Medical Center.
The first case is a two year-old female from Maguindanao who complained of fever and weakness in both legs
The second case is a one year-old male from Cotabato City who had fever, cough, and weakness in both legs. The third case is a four year-old female from North Cotabato who exhibited fever, weakness of the right leg, neck, and facial muscles.
The first two cases were unvaccinated with the polio vaccine, while the third received incomplete doses.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said it is unacceptable that more children are falling victims to this vaccine-preventable disease.
“We are more determined than ever to make sure that no child shall be missed during the next round of the Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio in Metro Manila and Mindanao,” he said.
“We should not be satisfied with our children receiving only 1 or 2 doses of the polio vaccine. Let us ensure that they receive the complete doses of the vaccine to fully protect them from Polio,” Duque said.
The previous round of the Sabayang Patak in October reported a 96% coverage among children 0-59 months old from the 17 cities/municipality in NCR.
Davao del Sur recorded a 92% coverage from its 10 city/municipalities while Lanao del Sur reported an 85% coverage from 40 city/municipalities.
”We are reiterating to all parents and caregivers to have their 0-59 months children immunized with the polio vaccine from November 25 to December 7,” Duque said.