DOH: Mindanao conflict behind measles outbreak

The measles outbreak that downed at least 50 residents in some areas of Zamboanga City since last week has been traced to "conflict" areas in Mindanao such as Basilan province. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III blamed Wednesday the conflict in the areas, which he said interrupted his department's measles vaccination program there. "The cases were traced to nearby provinces where there are conflicts, like Basilan. We could not complete our measles vaccination efforts there because of the fighting," Duque said in Filipino during an interview on dzXL radio. Basilan is now the site of ongoing pursuit operations by the military against the killers of 14 Marines during an encounter in Tipo-Tipo town last July 10. Of the 14 slain Marines, 10 were mutilated and beheaded, prompting Malacañang to order "punitive" action against the culprits. The Zamboanga Today newspaper on Tuesday quoted Zamboanga city health officer Rodel Agbulos as saying that while the situation is considered an outbreak, it is still manageable. Agbulos said 40 were cases reported last week, and another 10 were reported from "sporadic" areas of Sta. Barbara, Sangali and Canelar. Children six years old and below are the main targets of the immunization drive. He said the spread of measles in the city started when Basilan had experienced an outbreak. Most of those afflicted with the disease went from Basilan to Zamboanga, the report said. Some were taken to the hospital while others stayed with their relatives, he said. - GMANews.TV