The entrance to the Metro Bacolod District Jail Male Dormitory Annex in Barangay Handumanan, Bacolod City. (PNA Bacolod file photo)
BACOLOD CITY -- The City Health Office (CHO) conducted a measles-rubella (MR) mass immunization for the inmates of Metro Bacolod District Jail (MBDJ) dormitories in Barangay Handumanan on Wednesday after an outbreak of fever and rashes was reported among male inmates.
Dr. Grace Tan, head of the CHO Environmental Sanitation Division, said both male and female inmates were given vaccinations by about 20 assigned health personnel.
As of Tuesday, 25 male persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were determined to have suspected measles. Of the number, 19 have been isolated.
“We label it as suspected measles unless it is confirmed by laboratory test, through oropharyngeal swab, nasopharyngeal swab or serum, by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine,” Tan said.
About 800 PDLs and the jail staff in the MBDJ Male Dormitory Annex were immunized.
In the adjacent MBDJ Female Dormitory, 205 female inmates and jail staff were also inoculated.
Tan said the symptoms were noted among the male inmates on the last week of October, coinciding with the observance of the National Correctional Consciousness Week when several visitors entered the jail.
Tan said that since the jail is a contained area, the transmission of measles virus is fast.
“They thought that one of the visitors could be the carrier. If we will not put an end to it, chances are, whenever anyone (with symptoms) would visit, the infection would again spread. We should contain it now,” she added.
Tan said the CHO coordinated with the immunization coordinators of the Department of Health-Western Visayas in planning the mass vaccination among the inmates.
She added that Mayor Evelio Leonardia approved the conduct of the activity.
Currently, the CHO is also conducting a measles-rubella supplemental immunization activity among the target population in the city, which do not include the inmates. (PNA)
