MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health has reported Tuesday (26 November 2019) of another polio case, this time, eighth overall on record, that of a child from Basilan.

According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, the most recent case involves a 9-year-old girl whose blood samples positively revealed traces of the new polio virus.

According to the DOH, blood samples of the child was taken to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and the National Institute of Infectious Diseases-Japan for further tests of the polio virus.

It was gathered, the child did not previously receive any polio vaccine.

Sec. Duque said they are also coordinating with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of the Muslim Mindanao Ministry of Health to maximize immunization coverage and strengthen polio vaccination efforts in Basilan.

Duque called on parents to bring their children for immunization at health centers.

Polio is considered a “highly infectious viral disease that targets children.”

The virus may result in paralysis and death to victims.

The health secretary urged the public to join in the next round of mass polio vaccination to be held from November 25 to December 7 in the National Capital Region and Mindanao. (Cate Pallarco/IAMIGO/CNS)