Measles cases up in Central Visayas; parents advised to inoculate kids
CEBU CITY – Aside from dengue, measles cases are also increasing in Region 7, the Department of Health-Central Visayas (DOH-Region 7) reported.
The DOH-Region 7 said that 62 measles cases were recorded from January to May this year, compared to the 24 in the same period last year.
“We are seeing an increasing number of measles this year and recorded a 163 percent rise in cases compared to last year,” Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Cañal, head of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Uni, said in a press briefing.
With the increasing measles cases, the DOH-Region 7 advised parents to ensure that their children have completed their vaccination particularly against the disease.
The DOH-Region 7 warned that children who are the most vulnerable to infection.
Dr. Van Philip Baton, DOH-Region 7 medical program coordinator for infectious diseases, said a low turnout for measles vaccination has been noted in the previous months.
“We have a slight dip in our numbers in 2021 and now, we hope we can catch up in the next three months, especially with children aged two-years-old and below,” said Baton.
Measles, which is classified as an acute viral respiratory illness, can be fatal for children, warned Dr. Jaime Bernadas, director of DOH-Region 7.
Bernadas said the DOH-Region 7 vaccination program on vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles is currently ongoing.
“Herd immunity from measles is very important. It does not really protect the adults but for our children and we are urging adults to help bring our children to our health centers for their routine vaccinations,” said Bernadas.