After dengue, Negros health officials watch out for measles

Negros Occidental health officials are keeping a close watch on the possible rise in measles cases and they advised parents to take precautions against the highly contagious disease. According to an article posted on Friday on the news site Visayan Daily Star, Acting Provincial Health Officer Ernell Tumimbang said his office received information about measles cases in some parts of the province. He did not elaborate, however. On the other hand, Tumimbang noted a continuous drop in the number of dengue cases in Negros Occidental for more than a month now. There were 43 reported dengue deaths this year but no new cases in the last two weeks, he said. Tumimbang explained that measles can spread by contact with droplets from the nose, mouth, or throat of an infected person. Sneezing and coughing can put contaminated droplets into the air, he added. He said symptoms usually begin eight to 12 days after one is exposed to the virus. This is called the incubation period. Symptoms may include bloodshot eyes, cough, fever, light sensitivity (photophobia), muscle pain and rash. – VVP, GMANews.TV