Philippines: 2010 Measles cases

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Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/m...-chief-measles-epidemic-metro-manila-unlikely

DOH chief: Measles epidemic in Metro Manila unlikely
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 02/20/2010 11:59 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral on Saturday said they are not expecting the measles outbreak in some parts of Metro Manila to development into an epidemic.

"There will be isolated outbreaks. We hope to contain them. We don't expect epidemic," Cabral said in an interview with ANC.

She said that a measles epidemic was unlikely because of the "high rate of immunization of children" in Metro Manila.

Cabral added that free vaccination for measles are highly available even in rural health centers.

The Department of Health said that a total of 570 measles cases around the country have been recorded since January 1 up to this month.

It said that measles outbreaks have been declared in some part of Metro Manila. Among these areas is Tondo district in Manila City.

Cabral advised the public to limit exposure to the sun to avoid heat-related illnesses, including measles.

She said measles patients should seek professional medical attention and refrain from self-medication. -- Report from ANC

 

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Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/184461/measles-outbreak-declared-in-6-areas

Measles outbreak declared in 6 areas
JERRIE ABELLA, GMANews.TV
02/22/2010 | 12:02 AM

The Department of Health (DOH) has declared a measles outbreak in six areas across the country.

Dr. Eric Tayag of the DOH National Epidemiology Center said these areas are Baseco Compound and Moriones in Tondo, Manila; Barangay Pulang Lupa in Las Pi?as City; Balabagan town in Lanao del Sur; Central Market in Dasmari?as, Cavite; and San Francisco town in Quezon.

DOH Secretary Esperanza Cabral, in an interview on dzBB radio, said measles outbreaks are to be expected during the summer season.

A total of 570 cases of measles have been recorded from January to February 5 this year, according to the DOH, with children aged one to nine as its common victims.

Cabral said symptoms that measles is imminent include fever, general weakness and occasionally red eyes. She said these usually come before the characteristic skin rash confirming the onset of measles.

?Ganoon ang umpisa, parang trangkaso. Nilalagnat, matamlay ang pakiramdam, nananamlay ang katawan. Tapos nalaman na tigdas paglabas ng characteristic skin rash (It starts out with flu-like symptoms. You feel feverish and weak, then the characteristic skin rash comes in)," she said.

She, however, said that while measles is usually self-limiting, it can cause complications in people with weak immune systems, including diarrhea, pneumonia and encephalitis, and corneal ulceration leading to corneal scarring.

?Pangkaraniwan gagaling yan kahit walang gamot na ibibigay. (Pero) ang batang walang resistensya minsan nagkakaroon ng complication tulad ng pulmonya, minsan ito ang nakakamatay sa kanila (Usually one can get well from measles without taking medicines. But children with weak immune systems may develop complications like pneumonia and this may prove fatal on occasions)," she said.

Tayag, for his part, said the disease is highly contagious as it is airborne.

?Four days even before the rashes start to appear up to four days after the rashes appeared, measles can still be spread by an inflicted person," he said in Filipino.

He likewise reminded parents to have infants undergo vaccination as early as nine months after birth, saying the reason behind outbreaks is the high percentage of children who were not vaccinated. - KBK, GMANews.TV

 

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Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/244701/measles-cases-rise-669

Measles cases rise to 669
By JENNY F. MANONGDO
February 22, 2010, 5:12pm

German measles cases in the country have increased to 669 after 99 more patients were admitted in various hospitals around the country.

This prompted the Department of Health (DoH) to ask local governments in institutionalizing a measles vaccination program to augment vaccination drives by the national government The figure for measles was recorded from January 1 to February 13 and is 70 percent higher than the previous year, Health Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral said.

German measles, locally known as ?tigdas?, is also known as ?rubella? as it is caused by the rubella virus.

It is characterized by skin rashes and flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, and runny nose. Doctors say measles is highly contagious, and is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

?We are worried whenever we find a single case of disease that is preventable through vaccination and we are analyzing what we can do to stop it from spreading,? Cabral said.

Majority of the patients are individuals aged 20 years old and below and were found in the areas of Carlos Palanca, San Miguel, Parola, Tondo, and Sta. Cruz in Manila; Para?aque, Tarlac City, Masbate, Antipolo, Lambunao in Iloilo, Balabagan in Lanao del Sur, and San Francisco in Quezon province.

Health workers are now actively locating and vaccinating children who have not had anti-measles immunization when they were young.

The DoH conducts routine vaccination programs and many of its programs for school-aged children are done in tandem with the Education Department.

Since most of the patients are young, the health department suspects that the patients might have missed their vaccination schedules as immunization against the German measles typically begins by nine months of age up to one year.

Measles is transmitted via respiratory droplets released through coughing or sneezing because the Rubella virus that causes the disease resides in the nose and throat of the infected person.

It is characterized by skin rashes and flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and runny nose.

But Cabral said a person's immunity against the measles virus is generally on a long-term basis that could extend up to a whole lifetime. This means those who previously had German measles may no longer suffer from it for a second time except when they have a weak immune system as in the case of the aged population.

?They are also prone to chickenpox or fungal illness that can be worse, instead of manifesting only in the groin or in the foot, it can also manifest in the whole body if the patient is immunocompromised.?

The health chief also warned against other diseases during the summer.

?We should also watch out for sore eyes. We should keep ourselves and our surroundings clean. If you have a neighbor who has chickenpox, do not go near him or her so you can avoid acquiring the disease.?

Cabral said measles usually peaks during the summer as children have more time for play which also presents a more opportune time for the rubella virus to spread.

?It is not the hot weather that contributes to the spread of the disease. It is because more children can play outside their homes and if there is one infected child, he or she could infect the others who were not vaccinated against measles.?

---> A woman holds her son while the infant is being given a measles shot at the F. Lanuza Health Center on Alvarez Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila last Monday. (Photo b LINUS GUARDIAN ESCANDOR II)

 

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Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/22/10/6-more-areas-found-have-measles-outbreak-doh

6 more areas found to have measles outbreak - DOH
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 02/22/2010 11:23 PM

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) has tagged new areas in the country where small outbreaks of measles have occurred prompting the government agency to intensify vaccination measures.

The 6 new areas where small outbreaks of measles have been recorded are in the following cities and provinces:

1 Tarlac City
2. Antipolo, Rizal province
3. Masbate province
4. Lambunao, Iloilo province
5. Alabang in Muntinlupa City
6. Para?aque City

The areas are in addition to the 5 areas already announced last week. These are:

1. Baseco area in Tondo district in Manila
2. Central Market in Dasmarinas, Cavite
3. Pulang Lupa, Las Pi?as City
4. San Francisco, Quezon province
5. Balabagan, Lanao Del Sur province

The figures have alarmed health officials.

?Nakakaalarma ito kaya di dapat ipagwalang bahala ng mga magulang. Dapat pabakunahan ang kanilang mga anak para ligtas sila sa sakit na ito," said Dr. Eric Tayag, National Epidemiology Center chief.

The health department reminded parents that measles vaccination can be obtained from public health centers for free. They said parents should have their children avail themselves of the free vaccination program.

Health officials have started inspecting health centers in areas where outbreaks have been reported to ensure the supply of vaccines.

Health officials also appealed to local government officials to provide information in their areas.

A public health center in Barangay South Triangle in Quezon City reported that 100 persons have availed themselves of the vaccine against measles. In a health center in Kamuning also in Quezon City, vaccines were found ready by the ABS-CBN News team.

The DOH also said that they will coordinate with the Department of Education on a ?fever watch.? Pupils and students who have fever or who may be showing symptoms of measles will immediately be sent home so others would not get infected.

Symptoms that a person may be infected include fever, general weakness and sometimes red eyes. These symptoms are usually observed before the characteristic skin rash which confirms the onset of measles. With a report from Sol Aragones, ABS-CBN News

 

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Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Source: http://thepinoy.net/?p=4712

Measles outbreak declared in 6 areas
Posted February 24th, 2010 | Health, News

By Jerrie Abella - The Department of Health (DOH) has declared a measles outbreak in six areas across the country.

Dr. Eric Tayag of the DOH National Epidemiology Center said these areas are Baseco Compound and Moriones in Tondo, Manila; Barangay Pulang Lupa in Las Pi?as City; Balabagan town in Lanao del Sur; Central Market in Dasmari?as, Cavite; and San Francisco town in Quezon.

DOH Secretary Esperanza Cabral, in an interview on dzBB radio, said measles outbreaks are to be expected during the summer season.

A total of 570 cases of measles have been recorded from January to February 5 this year, according to the DOH, with children aged one to nine as its common victims.

Cabral said symptoms that measles is imminent include fever, general weakness and occasionally red eyes. She said these usually come before the characteristic skin rash confirming the onset of measles.

?Ganoon ang umpisa, parang trangkaso. Nilalagnat, matamlay ang pakiramdam, nananamlay ang katawan. Tapos nalaman na tigdas paglabas ng characteristic skin rash (It starts out with flu-like symptoms. You feel feverish and weak, then the characteristic skin rash comes in),? she said.

She, however, said that while measles is usually self-limiting, it can cause complications in people with weak immune systems, including diarrhea, pneumonia and encephalitis, and corneal ulceration leading to corneal scarring.

?Pangkaraniwan gagaling yan kahit walang gamot na ibibigay. (Pero) ang batang walang resistensya minsan nagkakaroon ng complication tulad ng pulmonya, minsan ito ang nakakamatay sa kanila (Usually one can get well from measles without taking medicines. But children with weak immune systems may develop complications like pneumonia and this may prove fatal on occasions),? she said.

Tayag, for his part, said the disease is highly contagious as it is airborne.

?Four days even before the rashes start to appear up to four days after the rashes appeared, measles can still be spread by an inflicted person,? he said in Filipino.

He likewise reminded parents to have infants undergo vaccination as early as nine months after birth, saying the reason behind outbreaks is the high percentage of children who were not vaccinated.

 

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Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p100224.htm&no=26

Capice?os warned vs measles outbreak

by Jemin B. Guillermo

Roxas City (24 February) -- Health officials in Capiz warn the public against measles outbreak in the province.

Dr. Jarvis Punzalan, head of the Provincial Health Office in Capiz disclosed that they are closely monitoring measles outbreak in the province due to some confirmed cases here.

Punzalan said that the PHO, in partnership with the various rural health offices, has been conducting intensive surveillance because of the confirmed measles cases in the province since last year.

According to Expanded Program on Immunization coordinator Deborah Juanico, the province had 6 measles cases last year.

Juanico disclosed after said confirmed cases, measles vaccination was given to children 6 months old to 5 years old and below who are the most vulnerable age group in the affected areas, namely in the towns of Dumarao, Tapaz, Jamindan and Dumalag.

She added that last January, there is another confirmed measles case in Lucero, Jamindan town, where they are again in close surveillance for the possible spread of the virus that would affect other residents in the area.

Juanico also said that they have also intensified their measles vaccination activity in said area.

She also urged the parents to submit their children to free measles vaccination in their respective public health centers regardless of whether said children had been immunized with said vaccine before.

Juanico also said that also given measles immunization are those who are below 15 years old.

She added that in Jamindan town alone, where there were four confirmed measles cases, some 3,372 children have already availed of free immunization against measles. (PIA

 

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Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Source: http://www.thenewstoday.info/2010/02/25/doh6.on.alert.as.measles.cases.in.iloilo.rise.html

DOH-6 on alert as measles cases in Iloilo rise
By Maricar M. Calubiran

The measles cases in Iloilo City drastically increased from just one case in 2009 to 25 confirmed cases this first two months of the year.

Dr. Glen Alonsabe, regional epidemiology chief of the Department of Health-6 said the 25 confirmed cases were registered in the month of January and second week of February alone.

Alonsabe said proper interventions have already been made to address the increasing number of measles cases. The intervention includes the vaccination of children five years and below.

He also said the measles cases in the town of Lambunao is more than what was reported by the national office of the health department. There are more than four cases in the town but most of them are unreported. The measles-afflicted children stayed in their homes after there were no perceived complications.

Recently, the DOH identified the municipality of Lambunao as among the towns in the country with recorded measles outbreak.

He encouraged parents of the children to avail of free measles vaccination. There are enough anti-measles vaccines in the region for the children...

 

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Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/245431/measles-outbreak-contained

Measles outbreak contained
By ANTHONY GIRON
February 27, 2010, 6:31pm

IMUS, Cavite ? The reported measles outbreak in Dasmari?as City, Cavite, has been contained, the local health department said over the weekend.

The Department of Health (DoH) said Dasmari?as ? the most populated city in Cavite ? is one of the 11 areas in the country where the measles outbreak was reported.

?There was measles outbreak in the city but it has been contained at once with the intensified vaccination measures,? said Dasmari?as Health Office chief Dr. Cynthia M. Cristobal.

Cristobal confirmed that there were at least two cases reported in the city on February 8, 2010. ?One measles case can be considered as an outbreak,? she said.

Cristobal said that it was the first time in five years that the measles incidence was reported in the city.

The health officer said the measles outbreak in the city was contained following a house-to-house vaccination for children and information drive about the airborne disease.

?The number of measles cases in the city did not increase. This is due to the house-to-house vaccination that we made for children whose ages range from six months to five years and 11 months, and the info drive,? said Cristobal.

Measles is an infection of the respiratory system caused by a virus. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rashes.

Provincial Epidemiologist Nelson Soriano said that measles or ?tigdas? is one of the so-called summer diseases that can be avoided with proper measures and right medicines.

Aside from measles, other summer diseases include diarrhea, cholera, hepatitis, and even food poisoning.

 

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Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/03/01/10/measles-outbreak-kills-4

Measles outbreak kills 4
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 03/01/2010 6:39 PM

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said at least four people have died after falling ill from measles.

Dr. Eric Tayag of the DOH National Epidemiology Center said the agency has also identified four new areas affected by small outbreaks of measles including the Market 3 fishport in Navotas; a barangay in Siniloan, Laguna; a town in Iloilo and several barangays in Davao City.

Tayag said the DOH has detected 954 measles cases nationwide from January 1 to February 20, which is triple the number recorded during the same period last year. He said the DOH will intensify vaccination measures in affected areas.

Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral earlier said the DOH will coordinate with the Department of Education on a “fever watch.” Pupils and students who have fever or who may be showing symptoms of measles will immediately be sent home so others would not get infected.

Symptoms that a person may be infected include fever, general weakness and sometimes red eyes. These symptoms are usually observed before the characteristic skin rash which confirms the onset of measles.
as of 03/01/2010 6:39 PM

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/245771/measles-affects-younger-infants

Measles affects younger infants
By JENNY F. MANONGDO
March 1, 2010, 5:50pm

Measles has claimed the lives of four infants, latest statistics from the Department of Health (DoH) showed, prompting authorities to launch a measles vaccination drive for babies as young as six months old in Metro Manila.

The move is a deviation from the DoH’s routine vaccination scheme against measles that ordinarily covers babies nine months to six years old after the disease surveillance report of the National Epidemiology Center (NEC) also reflected that majority of the measles patients belong to the one year to four years old age group.

“Our routine immunization activity covers nine months to six years old. But in Metro Manila, we brought it down to six months… there are babies below nine months old who died. It means the spread is rapid, even those as young as six months can get the disease,” said Dr. Eric Tayag, NEC director.

He said those who were vaccinated before they reached one year of age should have the immunization repeated to ensure the efficacy of the vaccine.

The four fatalities included three male infants aged eight months old from Tondo, and one 11-month old female baby from Parola, Manila. All of them died of pneumonia at the San Lazaro Hospital, Tayag said.

There are now a total of 954 measles cases recorded nationwide from last January 1 to February 20, according to NEC records, three times higher than the 330 reported cases during the same period last year.

Outbreaks of measles have been declared in different areas in Manila, including C. Palanca street (formerly Echague) in San Miguel; Parola Gate in Port Area; Lico street in Sta Cruz; and Morong St. in Tondo.

Other areas with reported measles outbreak are Filinvest Corporate City in Alabang; San Antonio, San Dionisio, and Bliss in Parañaque City; Pulang Lupa and San Juan Central in Las Piñas; Market 3 Fishport, and NBBN in Navotas; Brgy Maliwalo, Tarlac City; Sitio Maalat, Brgy. Huyon-Uyon in San Francisco, Quezon; Sitio Mabolo in Antipolo, Rizal; Brgy. Pandeño in Siniloan, Laguna; Pinamarbuhan, Mobo, market site, and Jimumuro, Yugbo in Masbate; Walang and Lambunao, Iloilo; Brgy. Marandig in Calinog, Iloilo; Baguio District and Tambobong in Davao City; and Matampay in Balabagan, Lanao del Sur.

Tayag asked local government authorities to support the vaccination drive to stem the rise of measles cases.

“We ask local governments to support barangay health workers. Even if it is election time, they have the obligation to do a house-to-house vaccination activity,” he said.

“The barangay health workers will go to houses of ‘defaulters’ or those who were scheduled for a vaccine, but did not go to health centers…We do not want the cases to reach 2,900 like in 2009. Areas that did not reach 90 percent vaccination coverage may have an outbreak in the coming days,” Tayag warned.

The NEC chief also reported that a massive vaccination drive has been set in the second quarter of the year for babies nine months to six years old in Metro Manila.

 

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Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/246060/measles-outbreak-declared

Measles outbreak declared
March 3, 2010, 6:36pm

BAGUIO CITY ? The city health services office here declared a measles outbreak in Barangay Kayang Hilltop after it recorded a spike in the incidence of the disease during the past few weeks.

All 21 measles cases in the city were recorded in Kayang Hilltop with a seven-month infant as the latest fatality.

The local health department alerted the different district health centers to conduct a massive information and education campaign in their respective areas of jurisdiction in order to convince mothers of children aged 6 months to 12 years old to avail of the massive anti-measles vaccination in the city.

The city health office is also coordinating with the Department of Education to facilitate the vaccination of children in the different private and public schools to prevent the disease from spreading.

 

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Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/185592/five-confirmed-dead-due-to-measles-doh-says

Five confirmed dead due to measles, DOH says
CARMELA G. LAPE?A, GMANews.TV
03/08/2010 | 01:55 PM

Five have been confirmed dead due to measles, a dzBB radio report said, citing a Department of Health (DOH) official.

Of the fatalities, three were eight-month-old male infants, while the remaining two females were 11 and two years old respectively, the DOH?s National Epidemiology Center Chief Dr. Eric Tayag was quoted as saying.

Four of the victims were from Tondo while the youngest female was from Quiapo, Tayag told GMANews.TV that of the 5, 4 were from Tondo.

According to the report, there have been 742 confirmed cases of measles nationwide from January 1 to February 27.

The figure is 234 percent higher than the same period of last year with 222 cases, the report also said.

Barangay Siyete in Tanauan, Batangas, and Catanega in Palawan were declared to have a measles outbreak, in addition to the previous list of areas.

An earlier report said that these areas include Baseco Compound and Moriones in Tondo, Manila; Barangay Pulang Lupa in Las Pi?as City; Balabagan town in Lanao del Sur; Central Market in Dasmari?as, Cavite; and San Francisco town in Quezon.

The DOH will investigate if the measles strain is coming from inside or outside the country...

 

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Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/r...ity-health-officials-declare-measles-outbreak

Tanauan City health officials declare measles outbreak

By Arnell Ozaeta, ABS-CBN News Southern Tagalog | 03/08/2010 9:35 PM

BATANGAS, Philippines ? At least 3 children in 1 barangay in Tanauan City were found positive for measles (rubeola), prompting city health officials to declare an outbreak.

Dr. Adel Bautista, Tanauan City health officer, said 15 children in Barangay 7 Poblacion were diagnosed to have symptoms of measles such as fever, cough, skin rashes, colds, sore eyes and loss of appetite.

?Of the 15 cases we have, 3 of them turned out to be positive with measles when we tested their blood at RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine),? Bautista said adding they have yet to receive the result of the blood tests of the other children.

Bautista said that based on parameters of the Department of Health (DOH), 3 or more cases of sickness, such as measles, confined in one location could already be considered as an outbreak...

 

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Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/03/10/10/9-qc-villages-high-risk-measles

9 QC villages at 'high-risk' from measles
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 03/10/2010 1:05 PM


MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City Health Department on Wednesday said it is monitoring 9 "high-risk" barangays for possible measles outbreak.

City health officials said the 9 barangays are: Apolonio Samson, Commonwealth Avenue, Payatas, Payatas A, Krus na Ligas, Pansol, Manresa and North Fairview.

A March 3 surveillance report said there were 11 confirmed measles cases and 82 suspected measles cases in the 9 barangays.

Officials said they will heighten anti-measles vaccination drives in the affected villages. Jeffrey Hernaez, radio dzMM
as of 03/10/2010 1:05 PM

 

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Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/186246/measles-cases-have-more-than-tripled-early-this-year-doh

Measles cases have more than tripled early this year ? DOH
CARMELA G. LAPE?A, GMANews.TV
03/16/2010 | 01:39 PM

(Updated 3:50 p.m.)Confirmed cases of measles in the Philippines have more than tripled, already resulting in six deaths, the Department of Health (DOH) has reported.

In a flash report on Tuesday afternoon on GMA News, Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral said that there have been 878 confirmed measles cases recorded from January to March 6. Of the 878 confirmed cases, there have been 6 dead, 5 male, and 1 female.

Meanwhile, cases have reached a record 742 from January to February this year, 234 percent higher than last year's 222 cases, said the latest update from the DOH's Disease Surveillance and Informatics Division (DOH-DSID) posted on its official website.

The same DOH-DSID report showed that from January 1 to February 27 this year, 742 of 1,328 suspected measles cases were confirmed. [See: DOH?s disease surveillance report table 1]

NCR had the most number of measles cases at 63 percent, followed by Region IVA (10.3 per cent), Region V (7.6 percent) and Region III (5.7 percent)...

 

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Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Source: http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/March/25/topstory7.htm

Measles outbreak in Candoni: PHO
BY CARLA GOMEZ

A measles outbreak has been reported in Candoni town and an Outbreak Response Immunization Team has been sent to the area to prevent its spread, Negros Occidental Provincial Health Officer Luisa Efren said yesterday.

There were four reported cases of measles in Candoni and one case was confirmed to be positive, she said.

She said that, since measles immunization has been conducted throughout the province, one case of measles in an area is considered an outbreak. The child with measles had moved to Candoni from Manila and had not been covered by the immunization drive, she said...

 

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Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Re: Philippines: Measles cases

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/187361/health-officials-on-alert-over-measles-rise-in-lanao-maguindanao

Health officials on alert over measles rise in Lanao, Maguindanao
03/30/2010 | 09:43 PM

Health officials in Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao provinces are on alert over a rise in the number of measles cases there.

The number of cases rose despite vaccinations, Radio dzXL reported, citing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Health secretary Dr. Kadil Sinolinding.

At least 39 residents in the two provinces had been recorded to have measles. The youngest is an eight-month-old baby.

Most of those afflicted are staying in evacuation centers in the wake of recent fighting in Maguindanao, Sinolinding said.

The Department of Health has started an investigation into the incident, the report said. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV

More here:
http://www.inquirer.net/mindandbody/thedoctorisin/view.php?db=1&article=20100330-261627

 

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Re: Philippines: 2010 Measles cases

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/251837/measles-cases-3518-higher-year-says-doh

Measles cases 351.8% higher this year, says DoH
By JENNY F. MANONGDO
April 9, 2010, 4:34pm

The Department of Health (DoH) released Friday its latest data on measles incidence in the country which has reached 1,473 from Jan. 1 to March 27 this year, which is 351.8 percent higher than the number of cases in the same period last year.

Health experts recorded a total of 3,648 suspect measles cases but discarded 1,380 as non-measles while the results of 795 are pending in the laboratory.

The DoH recorded eight deaths resulting from the disease during the covered period this year while there were only three deaths in 2009 in the same given period.

The DoH said five of the fatalities were less than 12 months of age and two cases belonged to the one to four years age group. One case belonged to the 10 to 14 years age range.

The list identified the regions with the most number of measles cases. These included the National Capital Region (NCR), Calabarzon, Central Luzon and Bicol. Outbreaks of laboratory-confirmed measles were also seen in NCR, Ilocos region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and CAR.

The other day, DoH Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral said cases have to go down in the following weeks before the DoH can declare that the measles season is over.

National Epidemiology Center (NEC) chief Dr. Eric Tayag said measles is transmitted through airborne droplets. Compared to influenza, one person afflicted with measles can affect 12 to 18 other children or people.

A sick person can transmit the disease to another person even four days before the onset of rashes and five days after the rashes appear. The typical incubation period of measles is 10 days.

?But even without the rash, a child with measles is already infectious,? Tayag warned.

Earlier, Tayag disclosed that the most severe complications caused by measles are disorders of the brain such as Encephalitis and Panencephalitis.

 

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Re: Philippines: 2010 Measles cases

Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p100422.htm&no=87

DOH 2 says measles outbreak in Santiago City now contained

by Thelma C. Bicarme

Tuguegarao City (22 April) -- The Cagayan Valley Department of Health has allayed fears of the public of possible spread of the measles disease in the region saying the reported measles outbreak in Santiago City, has been contained through the massive vaccination conducted by the city health officials.

Floro Orata, Health Education Promotions Officer of DOH-CHD confirmed that there were at least seven cases reported to be positive of measles disease from January to March this year.

"One measles case can be considered as an outbreak, if there is no occurrence of the disease in the past years" he explained.

Orata explained the measles that affected the city is also known as rubeola, one of the most highly communicable infectious diseases. "It can spread through airborne droplets, and direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons', the health educator further explained.

The symptoms of measles include a fever for at least three (3) days duration, and the three C's - cough, coryza (runny nose) and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The fever may reach up to 40 degrees Celsius (105 Fahrenheit).

Infected persons are usually contagious from four (4) days before onset of signs or symptoms, and until 4 days after the onset of signs or symptoms.

Orata warned the public especially the parents to stay vigilant as children aged nine months and below are the ones mostly affected by the said virus.

He urged the parents to have their children vaccinated with measles virus vaccines before they reach their first birthday.

"Measles infection may occur in infants below 15 months of age so it is advisable to give the vaccine to infants at an earlier age", Orata added. (PIA 2) [top]

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Philippines: 2010 Measles cases

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/272192/measles-outbreak-hits-kudarat-village

Measles outbreak hits Kudarat village
By NONOY E. LACSON, PNA
August 13, 2010, 4:25pm

GENERAL SANTOS CITY ? Local health authorities placed a community in Palimbang town in Sultan Kudarat under quarantine following a measles outbreak that already downed at least 70 children in the area.

Palimbang Mayor Abubakar Maulana said personnel from the Department of Health (DoH) and the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Health Office sealed off a portion of Barangay Poblacion in a bid to control the spread of the virus that caused the disease.

?The outbreak has so far slowed down and our health personnel are working double time to stop it from further spreading,? he said.

Maulana said they initially monitored the outbreak late last week and confirmed at least 47 cases last Monday.

He said the number of confirmed measles infection rose to at least 70 cases during the last three days but they have not recorded any casualties so far.

?I think the problem is now almost solved and we expect the patients to fully recover within the next few days,? the mayor said...

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Philippines: 2010 Measles cases

DoH Steps up Effort on Measles

By CHARISSA M. LUCI
October 5, 2010, 6:18pm
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MANILA, Philippines ? The Department of Health (DoH) has stepped up the campaign on measles, a highly-contagious disease that is among the leading causes of deaths among children, an official said on Tuesday.
...

Tayag said apart from dengue, they are keeping an eye on measles, which claimed the lives of six children between January and February this year.

The DoH recorded 878 confirmed measles cases in early this year, which is higher than last year's 222 cases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 150 people died from measles in 2008.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/280656/doh-steps-effort-measles