DOH to implement stricter measles quarantine

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine health officials will implement stricter measures to prevent infectious diseases like measles from spreading around the country and even abroad, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Tuesday.

“We have instructed the representatives with our public health services team together with Bureau of Quarantine to actively coordinate with all these citizens who come from areas with infectious diseases,” Duque said in a press briefing at Hotel H20 in Manila.

Reuters reported that more than 40 people who brought measles in the United States were from other countries, including the Philippines.

Duque said they have yet to confirm the report, but he acknowledged that it is possible due to the “borderless economy.”

“We have yet to validate the report, so we will be able to respond to it appropriately. [But] given the borderless economy… it is really no wonder that you can really export it [the diseases],” he said.

Duque also asserted that the “ease of travel” could have helped spread infectious diseases in other countries.

“We have these bugs or diseases that can be transmitted because of ease of travel. That is why quarantine measures will have to be leveled up, and the system has to [have] protocols and [must be] strictly followed,” Duque said.

Recent data showed that from Jan. 1, 2019 to April 13, 2019, there are 31,056 reported measles cases with 415 deaths compared to 6,641 cases with 59 deaths during the same period in 2018. /ee

READ: Measles spread under control but outbreak declaration stays