Zambo City female jail dorm records 10 measles cases

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has recorded 10 cases of measles since January this year at the female detention facility of the Zamboanga City Jail (ZCJ).

Senior Insp. April Joy Bueco, ZCJ female warden, told the Philippine News Agency Wednesday that they immediately isolated the inmates afflicted with measles to prevent the spread of the disease at the detention facility.

Measles is a highly communicable viral illness transmitted through direct contact with nasal or throat secretion of an infected person or by objects freshly soiled with nose and throat secretion.

Bueco said they also improved the hygiene and sanitation at the detention facility to protect the other female inmates who are not afflicted by measles.

Bueco said they have two nurses who are monitoring the health condition of the detainees, who are now known as Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL).

She said that a physician is checking the health condition of the female PDLs and “if hospitalization is needed, they are brought to the Zamboanga City Medical Center.”

A measles outbreak was declared in this city since February last year and has not been lifted since then.

Dr. Dulce Miravite, City Health Office chief, said the outbreak can only be lifted if not a single case of measles is reported for a period of four consecutive weeks. (PNA)