Health authorities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have taken steps to contain the measles outbreak in Marawi City and other parts of Lanao del Sur province.

On Tuesday, personnel from the Ministry of Health in BARMM (MOH-BARMM) and Lanao del Sur Integrated Provincial Health Office initiated a three-day joint monitoring and information campaign to help contain rising cases of measles in Marawi and nearby towns since last week.

As of Sept. 25, the number of measles cases in Marawi City was at 16 with one death, while 12 cases were reported in other parts of Lanao del Sur.

“All the patients are confined at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC) in Marawi City,” Saida Diocolano-Ali, MOH-BARMM health education and promotion officer, said, adding that the majority of those infected were children.

The patients of APMC have not received Measles-Rubella and Bivalent Oral Polio vaccines during the nationwide massive vaccination campaign that started in May this year, she said.

A highly contagious disease, measles is caused by a virus, which spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

BARMM medical workers have urged parents to bring their children to health centers should there be any symptoms of measles.

Ali said a focus group discussion among health frontliners in Lanao del Sur was also organized on Sept. 21 to 23 to equip them with the needed information on how to address the rising cases of measles.

She said the ongoing outbreak made the citizens of Lanao del Sur and Marawi realize the significance of visiting health centers, consulting health professionals, and partaking in vaccination campaigns. (PNA)