Phl warns measles outbreak could worsen in summer

MANILA, Philippines  (Xinhua) - The Department of Health (DOH) warned today that the outbreak of the potentially deadly measles could worsen during the summer months especially if children who are at risk of contracting it are not vaccinated.

"There is a possibility that the number of measles cases would increase during the summer months especially if susceptible children remain unvaccinated," Health Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag told Xinhua in a text message.

The dry season or summer months in the Philippines starts in March.

The government has declared an outbreak of measles in nine cities in Metro Manila, the Philippines' capital region over the weekend.

This after the DOH recorded a total of 1,724 measles, including 21 deaths from Jan. 1 to Dec. 14, 2013.

The DOH said measles is a heat-related illness that is highly contagious. It can cause complications in people with weak immune systems, including diarrhea, pneumonia, and encephalitis.

The Philippine government has already launched a vaccination program in 17 local government units in Metro Manila to contain the outbreak.

The DOH is seeking to immediately vaccinate infants and children below five years old who are considered the most vulnerable to measles.

Tayag said the World Health Organization's target date for eliminating measles in the Western Pacific region to which the Philippines belongs is 2017.