QUEZON CITY (PIA) — According to the data shown by the Department of Health (DOH), the measles cases this year across the country increased almost 300% from January 1 to October 14, 2023 compared to the total measles cases from last year.
Based on DOH’s latest epidemic-prone disease case surveillance, a total of 458 registered measles cases were recorded in 2022 and 1,829 this year, equivalent to 299%.
With the continuous increase of measles cases the DOH together with developmental partners United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO) continues the drive of the “Chikiting Ligtas” campaign program.
“I think this is expected kasi the past year, ang baba ng MMR vaccination natin sa mga bata. In fact, hindi tayo nakaabot doon sa 90% na kinakailangan (I think this is expected because the past year, the MMR vaccination among children is low. In fact, we did not reach the 90% vaccine coverage needed),” Infectious diseases expert Dr. Rontgene Solante said in the public briefing on Wednesday, November 8.
“If we can remember also, we had measles outbreaks in 2018 and 2019, so it becomes a cycle now na kapag mababa ang vaccination rate sa mga bata ay tataas ang mga kaso (When children’s immunization rates is low, the number of cases increases), and this is now the result because of the low vaccination coverage that the country had for the past two to three years,” he added.
Due to the low immunization coverage, the program aims to lessen the measles cases and other infectious diseases by giving a free vaccination to the children – the most cost-effective protection against measles.
The local government also cooperated with DOH by giving a memorandum to barangay-level local government units urging them to support the measles vaccination to avoid the cycle of measles outbreak in the country.
According to the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) and World Health Organization (WHO), the most effective prevention with Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) is community-wide vaccination.
Prevention
1. Get the MMR shot and be vaccinated.
2. Maintain proper hygiene and keep your hands clean.
3. Cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
4. Avoid sharing food, water, utensils and other items contaminated by saliva.
The WHO said that there is no specific treatment for measles thus experts usually give recommendations only to relieve the symptoms until the immune system fights off the virus.
The DOH advised people who got infected to drink enough water and treatments for dehydration and eat healthy food. And see a doctor once the symptoms get worse because measles is highly infectious that can cause death.
For more information on DOH vaccination programs, contact your local health centers. (Sophia Marie Navalta/PIA-NCR Trainee)
