Measles deaths in Cebu since January now 12

CEBU, Philippines — Measles continues to claim lives despite the increase in coverage of the ongoing vaccination.

The surveillance unit of the Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas has recorded four new deaths in Cebu Province reportedly due to complications caused by measles in March and April.

Based on data from the DOH-Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, the latest fatality was registered on April 8; a one-year-old from Cebu City who died last March 4.

This brings the total deaths during March to three, including a six-month-old child from Cebu City who died last March 9, and a one-year-old who died last March 14 in Toledo City.

The same data showed that there are already a total of 12 deaths recorded this year --all in Cebu Province.

For the first two months of 2019 there were two reported deaths in Cebu City and one each in the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Carcar, and from the towns of Consolacion, Pinamungajan, San Francisco, and Moalboal.

Aside from the 12 deaths, DOH-RESU in Region 7 counted a total of 1,531 patients infected with measles reported from the four provinces since January 1 until April 27, 2019.

Significantly, this year’s figures marked a 765% increase compared to the number of cases in the same period of last year with at least 178 cases (one death included), according to RESU-7.

The regional office also noted that majority of the cases were reported from Cebu City with 392 cases (including five deaths), Lapu-Lapu City with 106 cases (including one death), and in Talisay City with 78 cases.

To note, the age group with the most number of measles incidences were those below one year old --which has been tagged as the most vulnerable sector.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Health Office in Cebu said that more parents and adults have responded positively to the measles immunization following the measles scare.

PHO chief Dr. Rene Catan said during a media forum on Thursday that the measles response immunization is still continuing at the province level as health workers are aiming at vaccinating the targeted population (from six months old to 59 months old).

He said it is a good thing that communities are now being responsive to the mass vaccination that the parents themselves are seeking the help of health units for their children to receive the required anti-measles shots.

Reports surfaced previously that adults were hesitant to have their children vaccinated because of fears over the Dengvaxia vaccine, which was reportedly seen to have adverse effects to recipients with no history of dengue.

Health authorities have reiterated to parents and guardians that the measles vaccine differs from the dengue vaccines as the former has been proven and tested as safe for children’s use. — BRP (FREEMAN)