MANILA, Philippines -- Health officials are worried by the 189 percent jump in measles cases nationwide in the first 51 days of 2010.

The Department of Health?s National Epidemiology Center (NEC) said 954 measles cases were treated by state-run and private hospitals nationwide between January 1 and February 20, 2010, representing an increase by an astounding 189.1 percent from the 330 cases recorded in the same period in 2009.

?Four died (in 2010) compared to two deaths in 2009. Three of the fatalities belonged to the 1-9 months age group while one belonged to the 1-4 years age group,? the NEC also disclosed.

Most of the reported measles cases, mostly in the age bracket of 1 to 4 years, were from the following regions: Metro Manila, 431; Western Visayas, 106; Southern Tagalog, 97; Central Luzon, 89; and Bicol, 65.

With 431 cases, Metro Manila posted a 482.4 percent-increase from 74 cases in 2009. Measles cases were monitored in Quiapo, Tondo and Port Area, all in Manila; Alabang, San Antonio, San Dionisio and Bliss, all in Muntinlupa City; Pulang Lupa and San Juan Central, both in Las Pinas; and Market 3 Fishport in Navotas.

From only a single case in 2009, the Ilocos region registered 16 new cases, or an increase of 1,500 percent.

Central Luzon, meanwhile, had 89 cases or a 2,125 percent-increase from only four cases in 2009.

On the other hand, the number of measles cases decreased in Cagayan Valley (from 17 in 2009 to 9 this year), Central Visayas (29 to 10), Northern Mindanao (20 to 6), Davao provinces (20 to 10), and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (17 to 9).
Sixty nine percent of the reported measles cases nationwide "had no reported history of measles immunization,? the NEC also said.

Both the National Center for Health Promotion and the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control have asked the public to watch out for a number of ?potential risks? brought about by the drought at the onset of the El Niño phenomenon.

In a joint advisory, the DOH-attached offices warned against diseases like diarrhea, cholera, paralytic shellfish poisoning, heat stroke, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion.

Aside from measles, other diseases exacerbated by high temperatures include chicken pox, flu, sore eyes, and hypertension.