The Health Department stated that one reason why polio was back in the country was because of the vaccine scare caused by the Dengvaxia controversy.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque confirmed this on Friday after confirming the first case of polio in the country.
Duque said that there are several factors why the disease is back after 19 years of being a ‘polio-free’ Philippines.
“Number one, of course ‘yung scare ng Dengvaxia, the anti-vaxxers also, misinformation,” he said.
Duque added that sanitation and generally poor environment contributed to polio’s return.
“Kulang sa paghuhugas ng kamay, so fecal oral route [meaning] ang hawaan dito ay galing sa dumi ng tao, tapos nakahawak ng pagkain at susubo, ‘yun ang umpisa,” Duque added.
The deadly infectious virus showed presence in samples taken from sewage in Manila and waterways in Davao.
