Nearly 22,000 measles cases recorded nationwide: DOH

December 12, 2018

Close to 22,000 measles and measles-rubella cases have been recorded around the country, the Department of Health (DOH).

Based on the latest DOH data , there are 21,819 measles and measles-rubella cases, including 212 deaths, from January 1 to November 17.

In an interview, Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo cited continued prevalence of distrust and lack of confidence towards vaccines pulled up measles cases.

“There is a loss of confidence among our people. There are doubts. But we hope we can convince our people anew on the safety and values of vaccines,” said Domingo.

“Hopefully, by 2019, we start reversing the trend and catch up with our vaccination goals and targets again,” he added.

Data shows there are 18,026 measles-rubella cases reported this year.

This is 374 percent higher compared to the 3,804 measles-rubella cases recorded during the same period as last year.

The number of deaths from measles-rubella rose to 164 this year from only 23 last year.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) had the most number of measles-rubella cases with 4,145; followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) with 2,785.

All regions also saw an increase in measles-rubella cases, except in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), where there were 141 cases recorded compared to 188 last year.

Measles cases nationwide have reached 3,793.

This is 735 percent higher compared to the 454 measles cases during the same period as 2017.

The number of deaths from measles also went up from nine last year to 48 this year.

Metro Manila saw the highest number of measles cases with 739 followed by ARMM with 605 cases.

All but one regions also saw an increase in measles cases, after the Zamboanga Peninsula saw 240 cases recorded compared to 259 last year. DMS