Measles cases increase by over 300 percent

MANILA, Philippines — As the government rushes to immunize children against infectious diseases, cases of measles nationwide continue to rise, health experts said over the weekend.

Based on the Department of Health (DOH)’s Disease Surveillance Report, there were 623 measles cases from Jan. 1 to May 20.

The figure is 339 percent higher than the 142 cases recorded during the same period last year.

Two fatalities from measles were recorded during the five-month period.

No one died of the disease during the same period last year.

Among regions, Zamboanga peninsula posted the highest number of cases with 90 followed by Central Visayas with 81.

Central Luzon and the National Capital Region recorded  62 and 61 cases, respectively.

Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos) recorded the highest growth in measles cases from three to 50 followed by Eastern Visayas from four to 56 and Caraga from three  to 38 cases.

As of June 14, the DOH said over eight million children have been vaccinated against measles and rubella since the government launched a month-long immunization campaign on May 1.

The effort is part of the DOH’s “Chikiting Ligtas 2023” campaign, which is being conducted to avert outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, specifically measles, rubella and polio.