Nearly 4,000 cases of measles reported in first two months of 2014—DOH

Health Secretary Enrique Ona. AFP File Photo

MANILA, Philippines—Almost 4,000 measles cases have been reported during the first two months of the year, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Wednesday.

Based on the Measles Surveillance Report of the DOH – National Epidemiology Center, a total of 3,734 confirmed measles cases were reported from January 1 to February 22, 2014.

Out of this number, 23 deaths were reported, the DOH said.

More than half of the confirmed measles cases were found in the National Capital Region (NCR) with 1,792; followed by Calabarzon with 820; and Central Luzon with 386.

Meanwhile, still awaiting confirmation are 9,568 reported measles cases reported all over the country.

The health department earlier conducted a measles catch-up vaccination campaign in response to the sudden increase in the number of measles cases around the country, particularly in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces in Regions 3 and 4-A.

The DOH also received on Wednesday five million doses of the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine donated by the Prince of Wales.

According to Health Secretary Enrique Ona, the donation will be part of the vaccines needed for 13 million under-five children during a mass immunization campaign scheduled for September 2014, in coordination with the World Health Organization.

“Children below 5 years old are most at risk from measles. Thus, they are the principal target for the mass immunization this year.  It is estimated that the MR vaccine donation will protect five million under-five children against measles, rubella and serious measles complications. The initiative seeks to achieve 95 percent immunization coverage,” he said.

The increased number of measles cases last year prompted the DOH and local chief executives to initiate the high-risk approach of measles vaccination.

“This approach aimed to control the on-going measles outbreak and prevent deaths resulting from measles complications. But the ultimate goal is to vaccinate all children below five years old and ensure that they received the two doses of the measles vaccine,” Ona said.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It easily spreads from person-to-person by sneezing, coughing, and close personal contact.

Signs and symptoms include cough, runny nose, red and sore eyes, fever, and a blotchy rash lasting for more than 3 days.

Prevention includes immunization of infants nine months old and giving Vitamin A supplementation during the routine measles vaccination.

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