Measles cases triple nationwide

The number of suspected measles cases nationwide has almost tripled apparently due to a decreased rate of immunization against the potentially deadly disease, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.

Data from the DOH showed a total of 877 measles cases recorded from Jan. 1 to Feb. 3. The figure is almost three times higher than the 293 cases reported during the same period last year.

The DOH said 12 deaths were reported among the total cases, with most of the fatalities coming from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Soccsksargen region.

A majority or 62 percent of the patients were not vaccinated. Among the top reasons cited were lack of time because the mothers were busy and the children were no longer eligible for immunization.

ARMM accounted for the bulk of the measles cases followed by the Zamboanga peninsula and Davao region.

“It can be noted that regions in Mindanao are mostly

affected with most of the cases coming from the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, Maguindanao and Davao del Sur,” DOH said.

More than half of the cases were males with age ranging from less than a month to 65. Age group with the most number of cases were one to four.

The DOH previously declared the outbreak of measles in the cities of Davao and Zamboanga.

House-to-house immunization is being undertaken and surveillance has been intensified to control the spread of measles, DOH said.

Health experts said measles is a preventable disease, thus even a low number of cases can be considered an outbreak.

DOH officials stressed that immunization is still the best protection against measles.

It has been reported that many parents are now shying away from having their children immunized due to the anti-dengue Dengvaxia vaccine controversy.