QC Mayor Joy Belmonte. INQUIRER.net file photo / Ryan Leagogo
MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City local government on Thursday said it will further intensify its surveillance program against polio after the Department of Health (DOH) reported an increase to 16 of people afflicted with the disease in the country.
One of the new cases, the DOH said, included a three-year-old boy from Quezon City.
In a statement, Mayor Joy Belmonte ordered the Quezon City Health Department “to leave no stone unturned” to ensure that polio remains an isolated case.
She added that the local government will closely coordinate with the DOH to ensure that the polio virus has been eradicated, and be prevented from spreading further.
“The local government will also extend assistance to address the medical need of the child,” Belmonte said.
The Quezon City Health Department, Belmonte said, will also conduct a massive information campaign to encourage the residents to practice proper hand washing and hygiene.