Philippines in danger of losing polio-free status: Duque

August 19, 2019

The Department of Health (DOH) said it is alarmed over the threat of the Philippines losing its 19-year old polio-free status due to a fall in Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) use.

In a statement, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the threat of polio virus transmission is  real considering poor hygienic practices in the communities.

"Unless we act quickly in putting our surveillance on alert to detect signs of polio virus transmission, in strengthening our immunization program, and in improving environmental hygiene and sanitation, we risk losing our polio-free status," said Duque.

He said  coverage for the third dose of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) has fallen below 95 percent, the target required to ensure the population is protected against polio.

Duque said the Philippines is at risk due to the polio virus arriving from neighboring countries, where the virus has recently been found.

The Philippines has been declared polio-free since October 2000. DMS