Western Visayas measles cases up by over 1,000%
BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The number of measles cases in Western Visayas increased by 1,773 percent in the past two months compared to the same period last year, according to the Department of Health (DOH) regional office.
Mary Jane Juanico, DOH-Region 6 child health program medical coordinator, said 918 cases were reported in January and February when there were only 49 reported last year.
Four deaths were reported, three of which were from Negros Occidental and one from Antique, the DOH added.
Negros Occidental has the highest number of measles cases, with 341. The figure is an increase of 4,771 percent compared to only seven last year.
The DOH said most of the cases were reported in Calatrava and Murcia towns as well as in the cities of Sagay, Himamaylan and San Carlos.
Antique recorded 196 cases; Iloilo,119; Bacolod City, 116; Aklan, 55; Iloilo City, 43; Capiz, 31, and Guimaras, five. Twelve cases were also reported among non-residents in the region.
The DOH said the ages of the patients range from four days to 87 years.
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