DOH says measles-rubella cases in PH up by 8% as of May 2025

MANILA, Philippines, May 29 ------ The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported that there are 2,118 cases of measles-rubella (MR) in the country as of May 10, 2025, which is eight percent higher than same period last year. The DOH said that of this figure, 2068 are measles cases.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), measles is a highly contagious viral disease that remains “an important cause of death among young children,” while rubella is a contagious viral infection that often occurs among children and young adults. The DOH noted that the five regions with the highest cases of MR are: National Capital Region (642 cases); Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) (289 cases); Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) (148 cases); Central Luzon (146 cases); and Zamboanga Peninsula (137 cases). It also noted a decrease in reported cases in the Bangsamoro region with 121 cases, from the 1179 cases reported from the same period last year. Meanwhile, the agency said that the case fatality rate is at 0.42%, a slight decrease of 0.46% from last year.

The WHO sounded alarm on the rising cases of measles in the Western Pacific Region, particularly the Philippines, Cambodia, Mongolia, and Vietnam, and the falling coverage of vaccines. According to WHO, Philippines, Cambodia, Mongolia, and Vietnam recorded a sharp increase in cases of measles in the first months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Vietnam reported 81,691 suspected measles cases in 63 provinces and cities since the beginning of 2025 while Cambodia logged 2,150 cases of measles between January and April 2025. Mongolia recorded 2,682 confirmed cases as of May 21. “Measles cases across the region are now at their highest level since 2020,” the WHO said in a statement.

The WHO also emphasized that measles can result in serious complications to children’s health such as pneumonia, brain damage, and lifelong disability. WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Dr. Saia Piukala said that the alarming rise of measles cases “highlights the vulnerable children who are being left behind — those who haven’t received even a single dose of vaccine, living in underserved communities, missed by routine immunization and vaccination campaigns.”

Source: inquirer.net