Polio immunization resumes in 3 areas

Simultaneous polio immunization has resumed Monday in Metro Manila, Marawi City in Lanao del Sur and Davao del Sur, according to the Department of Health (DoH).

DoH workers went to Smokey Mountain in Manila and conducted door-to-door polio vaccination to children aged five years and below but before the health workers went around the area, a briefing was held at the Smokey Mountain Health Center.

To recall, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in September said polio has reemerged in the Philippines after 19 years and stressed that polio vaccination provides children with the best protection.

Poliovirus can be transmitted through direct contact with someone infected with the virus or, less commonly, through contaminated food and water.

Duque reminded parents to have their young children get three doses of the polio vaccine before they reach one year old.

He also advised parents to observe other preventive measures such as proper hand-washing and refraining from open defecation, as people carrying the poliovirus can also spread the virus in their feces.

Poliovirus can also be transmitted through direct contact with someone infected with the virus or, less commonly, through contaminated food and water, according to Duque.

At its worst, Polio can cause nerve injury leading to paralysis, difficulty in breathing and, at times, death.