No case of Polio in Region 3

This is the good news that Ms. Sheila Ann Esteban, Region 3 NIP Nurse Coordinator, underscored during the Bataan Health Summit held last Wednesday, November 6 at the Lou-Is Resort and Restaurant.
The recent deaths of three children in Lanao, Maguindanao, and Laguna prove that Polio is a highly infectious and dreaded disease attacking the central nervous system which causes the affected person to be paralyzed and die at the worst situation, said Ms. Esteban.

Ms. Esteban also emphasized that Polio has no cure or treatment, but it can be prevented through the 3 doses of polio vaccination, hence the DOH is now conducting a massive campaign to achieve a 95% immunization coverage thus encouraging the parents, relatives, barangay officials and other people to disseminate the right information and conduct additional effective immunization in their areas.
Ms. Esteban further explained that polio virus comes from the water affected by the virus which can be transmitted through the oral-fecal-route from one person to another. She added that polio virus usually affects children below 5 years old who are not immunized, with compromised immune system and those exposed to areas affected with polio virus.

In conclusion, Ms. Esteban reiterated these key points: 1) a population who are 95% immunized have protection, 2)clean and safe water, 3) washing of hands before and after eating, 4) the use of clean toilets and 5) cook food properly.