The City Health Office (CHO) will highly involve the communities in the prevention of the spread of poliovirus through gathering barangay officials and resort owners to orient them on the necessary actions against the polio virus.
In the sidelines of yesterday’s flag raising ceremony, City Health Officer Dr. Josephine Villafuerte said the meeting is essential after the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) confirmed the presence of the virus in the waters of the Davao River.
“The barangay captains should really look into it if there are active cases of paralysis. They should immediately report it to concerned health offices,” Villafuerte told reporters.
“They should also see it to it where the residents in their respective areas dispose their human waste,” she added.
She, however, clarified, that there is no need to stop the operation of the resort owners, including swimming pool owners.
“We are refraining from the water because they may ingest the contaminated water. Until such time that we declare that it’s already safe,” she said.
“They should always make sure that the water is clean. They should also change swimming clothes. It’s not that they are not allowed to operate but they should effectively disinfect their waters,” Villafuerte added.
Meanwhile, Villafuerte also urged the public to have the children checked if they experienced polio-like symptoms including fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiff neck, and sudden onset of floppy arms or legs.
“If you can observe such symptoms, please go to the doctor. This is to give treatment because there is really no cure to the virus,” she said.
Next month, the City Health Office in cooperation with other health agencies will conduct a vaccination drive in response to the polio outbreak declaration in the country.
“(In) October, there will be an outbreak response vaccination. Every children, 100% of them, should be covered with the vaccination,” she said.
Villafuerte said anyone administered with the complete immunization vaccine has nothing to worry from acquiring the disease.
