Measles cases up 500% – DOH

MANILA,Philippines, April 9 ----- The Department of Health (DOH) has reported an almost 500-percent increase in measles cases nationwide.

atest data from the DOH’s Disease Surveillance Report showed a total of 208 measles cases were recorded from Jan. 1 to March 11. The figure is 478 percent higher than the 36 cases reported during the same period last year.

Among regions, Zamboanga peninsula posted the highest number of cases with 41 followed by the National Capital Region with 35 and Central Visayas, 25. Zamboanga peninsula also recorded the highest increase from one to 41 cases followed by Central Visayas from one to 25 and Metro Manila from three to 35.

Last year, the DOH warned that all 17 regions were considered high risk for measles outbreak due to low immunization rates among children in recent years. To immunize more children, the DOH will launch an anti-measles vaccine drive during the nationwide supplemental immunization activity in May.

Source: philstar.com