CNMI vulnerable to measles outbreak

The CNMI is reportedly prone to a measles outbreak because it is surrounded by countries that have experienced outbreaks.

Because of where the CNMI is located, a measles outbreak is a possibility so the Commonwealth Health Center is working on an action plan in the event of one, according to Warren Villagomez, Public Health and Hospital Emergency Preparedness program director.

“Of course, we’re vulnerable. You have all the potential measles countries around us, [the] Philippines is one, Asia, I mean all over Guam, Americas Samoa, we’re like right in between everyone,” she said.

However, Villagomez said that the CNMI has a high vaccination rate and is working tirelessly to get as many locals vaccinated as possible.

“We do have a high vaccination rate and I can tell you this, our public health immunization program, they have a high rate in vaccinations. But even with that, people are at risk who are not vaccinated,” he said.

Villagomez said that CHCC personnel have also undergone training for different scenarios in case of an outbreak in the last month.

“We discussed protective measures, how to protect our healthcare workers, how to protect our patients, protect the community from being affected. There were different discussions; there were a lot of good discussions,” he said.

Villagomez said the action plan is similar to action plans used for prior viruses that have threatened the Marianas, like the Ebola virus, to bring familiarization to personnel who will perform in case of an outbreak in order to effectively save lives.

“ When we get to situations like this, we call it a hazard action plan so basically what we’re doing is one size fits all. Basically, different disease, pretty much…the layers and the elements could be slightly different but the approach is one vision, to protect and to save lives,” he said.

According to Saipan Tribune archives, the immunization program is working on conducting outreach in the community to cater to adults and have been conducting school outreach to cater to the youth.

Vaccines are also available at the CHCC outpatient pharmacy. However, the pharmacy doesn’t administer immunizations for children.

The pharmacy administers immunization shots for adults from 8:30am to 6pm on weekdays and from 8:30am to 5pm on weekends.

Feel free to call 236-8798 for additional information.