THE number of measles cases continue to increase, with 515 cases reported from January 1 to November 5, or 201 percent higher than the 171 total recorded during the same period last year.
The Department of Health’s latest Measles Surveillance Report showed the Calabarzon region with the highest number of cases at 93, followed by Central Visayas with 67, and the National Capital Region of Metro Manila with 64.
Registering the highest increase from the previous year were Central Visayas with 1,240 percent (5 to 67), Mimaropa with 950 percent (2 to 21), and Central Luzon with 356 percent (9 to 41).
One death due to measles has so far been reported for this. No death was reported in the same period as last year.
Earlier, the DOH said all 17 regions in the country are considered to be at high risk for a measles outbreak because of the low immunization rate among children in the recent years.
Dr Alethea de Guzman, director of the DOH’s Epidemiology Bureau, also said measles outbreaks in the country usually occur every four to five years, with the last one taking place in the months bridging 2018 and 2019.
