The Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 1,627 cases of measles and rubella (MR) in the country from the start of the year to April 6, with four deaths recorded.
In a statement released on Tuesday, April 16, the DOH highlighted that children under the age of 10 are particularly “vulnerable” --- comprising 82 percent of the total reported cases, with a majority falling below the age of five.
It also disclosed that of significant concern is the concentration of cases in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which accounts for nearly half of the reported cases at 48 percent.
As a response, a Measles Outbreak Response Immunization (MORI) initiative is underway in BARMM, now entering its second week of intensive implementation.
Based on the DOH data, 849,728 children in BARMM have been vaccinated under the MORI as of April 14.
Maguindanao del Norte, Sulu, and Maguindanao del Sur stand out as the top three provinces in BARMM with the “highest percentage” of vaccinated children.
However, challenges persist as 2.3 percent of individuals offered vaccinations either deferred or refused.
Despite ongoing efforts, it is revealed that the national epidemic curve for measles-rubella continues to display concerning patterns, although signs of plateauing suggest a potential slowdown in transmission.
The DOH remains cautious in its interpretation of these trends, acknowledging the possibility of both underreported and overcounted cases.
It stresses that the full impact of the MORI initiative may not be immediately evident in the epidemic curve, with protective effects expected to materialize in the coming weeks.