CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The number of measles cases in Central Luzon increased by 41 percent in the first three months of the year, compared to the same period in 2017, reported the regional health office.
Data from the Department of Health’s (DOH) Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) showed 106 cases of measles from Jan. 1 to March 24 this year, as against 75 in the similar period last year.
Of the seven provinces in Central Luzon, Pampanga has the highest number of measles cases with 56, followed by Tarlac with 18; Bulacan, 11; Bataan, 10; Zambales, 5; Aurora, 4; and Nueva Ecija, 2.
Dr. Jess Fantone, head of the DOH RESU, said a measles outbreak had already been declared in Pampanga and Tarlac.
Fantone said ideally, there should be zero case of measles because it is a vaccine-preventable disease.
“Based on the new criteria, even if we have just one to two confirmed cases, it is considered an outbreak, and transmission must be controlled,” he said.
Fantone appealed to parents to have their children vaccinated, amid reports that they are refusing immunization following the issues over the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine.
He also assured that the DOH regional office has a sufficient supply of vaccines and could be availed for free.
Babies aged six to eight months are immunized with the measles and rubella vaccine, while children aged nine months to four years are given the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
Measles is a highly infectious and communicable disease caused by a virus. Symptoms include high fever, cough, conjunctivitis and colds.
If not properly managed, it can lead to complications, such as blindness, encephalitis, pneumonia, diarrhea and even death. (Zorayda Tecson/PNA)
