Published Date: 2010-05-23 12:00:04
Subject: PRO/EDR> Measles - Philippines (05)
Archive Number: 20100523.1708

MEASLES - PHILIPPINES (05)
***********************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: Fri 21 May 2010
Source: Malaya [edited]
<http://www.malaya.com.ph/05212010/metro6.html>


Two months after some parts of the country experienced a measles
outbreak, the number of measles cases has almost reached the 2000
mark based on statistics from the Department of Health's National
Epidemiology Center (NEC).

An NEC Disease Surveillance Report dated 10 Apr 2010 said a total of
1794 measles cases have been confirmed since 1 Jan 2010. "Compared to
the previous year, the number of confirmed cases increased by 387.5
percent," said the report. During the same period in 2009, only 368
measles cases were confirmed by the DOH.

Most of the confirmed cases this year [2010] are found in the
National Capital Region (967 cases), Calabarzon (268 cases), Central
Luzon (105 cases), and Bicol (101 cases).

The number of deaths also grew from only 3 in 2009 to 8 during the
1st 3.5 months of this year [2010]. "Five of the fatalities were less
than 12 months of age, while 2 cases belonged to the 1-4 years age
group, and one case is from 10 to 14 years," the report said.

Last March [2010], at least 18 communities recorded a measles
outbreak, with the total number of confirmed cases breaching the 368
cases set last year [2009]. Health officials had said then that they
were looking at the possibility that the outbreak was being caused by
a new strain from overseas.

Aside from the confirmed cases, 1228 other cases have pending
laboratory results to confirm if they are really measles.

[Byline: Gerard M. Naval]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>

[Measles in many provinces of the Philippines is an increasing public
health problem. Deficiencies in vaccination coverage rather than
introduction of a new strain of measles virus from overseas is a more
likely explanation.

Up to 1990, the Philippines had reported one of the highest measles
rates in the Pacific region. Measles rates in the Philippines
declined dramatically after 1990, in parallel with increased
vaccination usage (see the graph at
<http://exhibit.gideononline.com/measles-phil.jpg>). No measles cases
were reported from June 2004 to December 2006, an historic
achievement for the Philippines as a consequence of the 2004 Ligtas
Tigdas Campaign of the Health Department [a special nationwide
vaccination month for children who were at high risk of getting
measles]. Subsequently, there has been a resurgence in measles cases,
probably as a consequence of relaxation of the vaccination programme
due to financial constraints.

A map of the provinces of the Philippines can be accessed at:
<http://www.reliefweb.int/mapc/asi_se/cnt/phil/phl_ad.html>, and the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the Philippines is available
at <http://healthmap.org/r/00bk>. - Mod.CP]

See Also

Measles - Philippines (04): (IB) 20100424.1325
Measles - Philippines (03) 20100409.1156
Measles - Philippines (02): (TR) 20100224.0614
Measles - Philippines: alert 20100223.0599
2009
----
Measles - Philippines (03): (WV) 20091112.3923
Measles - Philippines (02): (WV), background 20090116.0186
Measles - Philippines: (WV) 20090115.0171
2007
----
Measles - Philippines (Mindanao) 20070725.2388
2003
----
Measles, imported - USA ex Philippines: alert 20030131.0271
2002
----
Measles, imported - Taiwan ex Philippines (02) 20020511.4171
Measles, imported - Taiwan ex Philippines 20020511.4162
..............................................sb/cp/msp/mpp

*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:
<http://www.isid.org/ProMEDMail_Donations.shtml>
************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at <http://www.promedmail.org>.
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org

(NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your
full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send
commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help,
etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a
human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org.

############################################################
############################################################