THERE was a sharp rise in measles cases in the Philippines, Cambodia, Mongolia, and Vietnam in the first four months of the year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Across East Asia and the Pacific, vaccine-preventable diseases are making a dangerous comeback, with measles at the forefront of this resurgence,” said Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO regional director for the Western Pacific.
In a statement late yesterday, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the observation of the WHO regarding the spike in measles cases in the country.
As of May 10, the DOH said it has recorded 2,068 measles cases nationwide.
“(This is) an 8 percent increase (in measles cases) from the same period last year,” said the DOH.
The top regions with the most measles cases are National Capital Region (642), Calabarzon (289), Mimaropa (148), Central Luzon (146), and Zamboanga Peninsula (137).
“In the first months of 2025, countries like Cambodia, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have reported a sharp rise in measles cases. This alarming rise is a wake-up call,” the WHO said.
Data showed that Vietnam recorded 81,691 cases of measles while Mongolia confirmed 2,682; Cambodia had 2,150 cases, while the Philippines reported 2,068.
The WHO-Western Pacific Regional Office (WHO-WPRO) attributed the rise in measles cases to the high number of children missing out on anti-measles vaccines.
“It highlights the vulnerable children, who are being left behind, those who haven’t received even a single dose of vaccine, living in underserved communities, and missed by routine immunization and vaccination campaigns,” said Piukala.
The Philippines’ DOH noted how the vaccine coverage for children in 2024 reached only 64.85 percent.
“The World Health Organization’s goal, which the DOH also uses, is to have 95 percent annual immunization coverage,” noted the DOH.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, then, said the DOH will strengthen its routine immunization and catch-up vaccination programs.
“Routine vaccination should be done faster, higher, stronger, and together intensified nationwide vaccination (can bring) the numbers down,” Herbosa said.
WHO-WPRO called on all nations in the region to put a premium on increasing their immunization coverage, especially among children.
“(We must) reach every child with routine immunization and catch-up campaigns to close immunity gaps. Every child must be immunized to protect their health and that of our communities,” said Piukala.
The WHO-WPRO said member states must establish strong surveillance, laboratory capacity, and rapid outbreak response.
Countries are also urged to improve their diagnosis and care capacity with clear treatment protocols and infection control in health facilities, it added.
