NEWSFLASH

9 AETAS DEAD IN TARLAC MEASLES OUTBREAK

Tarlac City, March 1, 2000 - A measles outbreak in Sta. Juliana, Capas town has reportedly claimed the lives of 9 Aeta children.

The first Aeta casualty of measles from Sta. Jualiana may have been infected in Manila where he was brought along by her mother during the holidays to beg for money and clothes, a report to the Department of Health (DOH) said.

The casualty’s brother who was also infected was brought to the Tarlac Provincial Hospital (TPH).

Since the outbreak began, at least 19 measles cases have so far been monitored by the provincial epidemiology and surveillance unit (PESU).

PESU records show that most of the victims are Aetas aged one to six years. Seven patients were recently admitted at the TPH, 11 at the Concepcion District Hospital, and one at the Camiling District Hospital.

Nine Aeta children in Sitio Abo, Sta. Juliana have reportedly died of measles.

Provincial health officer Dr. Ricardo Ramos formed a task force that has been conducting massive immunization in Capas and in the towns of San Jose, Mayantoc, San Clemente, and Bamban where there are Aeta communities.

“So far we have been conducting mopping up operations, and this means going to every house in every sitio to immunize Aetas. After three weeks of massive immunization, it appears that we have placed the situation under control,” Ramos said.