By Nanette Guadalquiver/Philippine News Agency
BACOLOD CITY — Measles cases in Negros Occidental increased by 1,695 percent from Jan. 1 to June 15 this year compared to the reported cases during the same period in 2018, latest surveillance report of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) showed.
Since the start of 2019, a total of 772 cases were reported in the province, higher by 729 compared to only 43 cases last year.
The report also showed five deaths, including two in Escalante City and one each in the cities of Bago, Sagay, and Talisay.
Fifty-seven percent of the 772 cases involved unvaccinated patients, most of whom were one to four-year-olds, the report added.
Among the 31 towns and cities in Negros Occidental, all of which have reported cases, San Carlos City posted the highest number with 93, closely followed by neighboring Calatrava town, which has 92 cases.
Others cases are in Cadiz City, 48; Bago City, 42; Victorias City, 39; Moises Padilla, 37; Kabankalan City and Toboso, 32 each; Himamaylan City, 31; Sagay City, 29; Sipalay City, 28; Isabela, 24; Don Salvador Benedicto, 23; Murcia, 22; Pulupandan, 20; Silay City, 19; Cauayan, 17; Hinigaran, Hinoba-an, and La Carlota City, 16 each; Talisay City, 14; Escalante City, 13; Pontevedra, 11; Candoni, 10; San Enrique and La Castellana, nine each; Manapla, seven; E.B. Magalona, Binalbagan, and Ilog, six each; and Valladolid, five.
The report added that of the total cases, 68 were laboratory confirmed as measles while two cases were confirmed as rubella.
Of the 68 confirmed measles cases, eight were in San Carlos City and six each in Calatrava, Kabankalan City, and Sagay City.
Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer, earlier said the provincial government has strengthened its immunization program to address the cases.
The PHO continues to conduct a supplemental immunization activity, he added.
In 2018, measles cases in Negros Occidental rose to 103, or by 3,333 percent, from only three in 2017.
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